Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when inspections under the Burren farming for conservation project are due to take place. [13246/11]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 270: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payments will commence under the Burren farming conservation project. [13247/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.

The Burren Farming for Conservation Programme is one of three schemes introduced by my Department using funding made available following the CAP Health Check; a total of €1 million per annum was provided for this Scheme out of the total amount available of €25 million, with the balance divided between the Grassland Sheep Scheme (€18 million) and the Dairy Efficiency Programme (€6 million). These Schemes are each projected to have a three-year life span – 2010, 2011 and 2012. My Department is currently finalising its verification checks and carrying out the required on-the-spot inspections at farmer level with regard to the Burren Farming for Conservation Programme. It is intended to issue payments to all applicants in the coming weeks.