Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 589: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider the upward revaluation of lands (details supplied). [31624/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy's Question relates to payment on various types of land under REPS and the Agri-Environment Options Scheme. The position is that I have made proposals to the European Commission to increase the rate of payment on SACs and other Natura areas under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme. I have no plans to increase the rate of payment under REPS.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 590: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans for the agriculture environment options scheme in 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30823/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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By the closing date of 17 May 2010, my Department had received over 9,000 applications under the recently introduced Agri-environmental Options Scheme from farmers who, if they prove eligible, will be entitled to up to €5,000 per year for the period ending 31 December 2015. Together with ongoing commitments in REPS, this means that all EU funding for agri-environment payments up to the end of 2013 is now fully committed. Any further support for agri-environment schemes in that period will, therefore, have to be funded entirely by the Exchequer and this is a matter which will be considered in the context of the annual Estimates process.