Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if €500 million in EU funding was made available under the habitats directive 1992 for the designation process; the breakdown of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35665/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Farmers in REPS with land designated by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government as Special Protection Areas or Special Areas of Conservation are eligible for enhanced payments under the scheme. Ireland's Rural Development Programme approved in 2007 provides a co-funded amount of €401 million for payments in respect of designated land over the period 2007 to 2013 of which 55%, or €220.55 million, is contributed by the European Commission. Farmers with designated land who are not in REPS can receive payment under the Farm Plan Scheme for Designated Areas and Commonages which is operated by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and is funded by the Exchequer.