Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

To add to what Deputy Martin Kenny said, many farmers did not apply for the BEAM scheme because they were not in an environmental scheme. The Minister needs to re-open the GLAS scheme to allow these farmers access to it because many of them are losing out on income as a result of not being in it. As stated by Deputy Kenny, they were also precluded from entering the BEAM scheme if they do not meet some of the other criteria as well. There have been problems with this scheme. Following the local elections, it became clear that there was going to be a 5% stock reduction requirement and that take-up has not what it should be. I would appreciate it were the Minister, Deputy Creed, to update the House on how much of the €100 million has been used in respect of applications to date. Will he give an assurance that the Government will now seek a fund from Europe to cover the period from May until now, when losses were heavier than the reference covered under the BEAM scheme, which was September to May?

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