Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of applications received for the agri-environment options scheme; the consequences for any EU funds allocated but not drawn down under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22016/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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There has been significant interest in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme since it opened for applications on 30 March 2010. The closing date for receipt of applications was Monday 17 May 2010 and at close of business on that day some 4,400 applications had been submitted to my Department's office at Johnstown Castle Estate in Wexford. However, given the short time frame for submitting applications, and in order to facilitate farmers, applications were also accepted in my Department's local offices. These applications are currently being forwarded to be processed centrally in Wexford. Current indications are that the total number of applications will be close to 8,000, but the actual figure cannot be ascertained until all applications have been received and recorded in Wexford.

EU funding for the Scheme comes from the modulation funding which I secured during the CAP Health Check and from the European Economic Recovery Programme. Given the response to the scheme in the numbers of applications submitted, I am satisfied that all EU funding provided for the scheme will be drawn down.