Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food

Departmental Schemes

9:00 am

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the sheep fencing and handling scheme will go ahead to be given to first time applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8760/11]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The grant applications received during the course of the first tranche provided for under the Sheep Fencing/Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme are currently being processed within my Department. This work will be completed as soon as possible.

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there is a commitment for five years for the agri-environment options scheme recently announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8761/11]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On Wednesday 6th April, I announced the re-opening of the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) for 2011 and confirmed that the scheme will be open for applications until 16th May. I have made funding of €25 million per annum available for this scheme with a maximum payment to any farmer of €4,000 per annum.

All contracts will run for at least five years which will extend their duration beyond the expiry of the current EU Financial perspective programming period which ends on 31st December 2013. New participants in the scheme will be offered the opportunity to adjust their commitments for the period of their contract beyond that date to the legal framework of the period commencing on 1 January 2014. If such an adjustment is not acceptable to the participant, he/she may withdraw from the schemes without the normal requirement for reimbursement of aid already received.

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