Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is entitled to compensation for the designation of their lands as a special area of conservation or a national heritage area in view of the fact that their REP scheme three participation has finished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2252/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The principal source of funding available to farmers to assist them in meeting the demands of farming within a designated area or commonage is the Rural Development Fund. This fund is administered by my colleague, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I understand that his Department is currently finalising arrangements for a new agri-environmental scheme that will be available to farmers who are nearing completion of their existing REPS plans.

Within my own Department, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has more limited funding available to operate a scheme to pay farmers and landowners for losses incurred through restrictions caused by the designation of lands as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), or Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). This scheme is available as an alternative to participating in REPS or the new agri-environmental scheme.