Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Overall, there is €79 million for new agri-environmental measures this year. Out of that, €23 million is from the carbon tax fund. There is a key programme for Government commitment to introduce a new flagship agri-environmental scheme in the next CAP which will start in January 2023. In funding that scheme, there will be €1.5 billion from the carbon tax between now and 2050.

In the transition period, we are constrained to pilot measures. We are not able to spend money on entirely new schemes because they cannot come in yet. I am very heartened by the response to REAP. The Deputy is right that it shows the appetite among farmers for a scheme that is well structured. They can get a return in terms of income and it will allow them to deliver for the environment. My key objective is to explore the opportunity to ensure as many farmers as possible can be included in that actual scheme.

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