Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 506: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to further resource or restructure the agri-environment options scheme in line with recommendations from farming associations. [15108/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) was introduced to give farmers the opportunity to participate in a scheme which rewards actions that benefit the environment. The AEOS scheme that I announced on April 6 was launched following an extensive review of the previous year's scheme involving both internal and external stakeholders. The 2011 scheme closed to applications on 17 May. The applications received are being assessed at present and the level of participation will be determined by the aggregate cost of the plans submitted and the number of applications that can be accommodated within the funding available. Any further participation in the scheme in future years and any adjustment to the existing scheme will be considered in the context of the Expenditure Review and Estimates process.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 507: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to reinstate the early retirement grant for farmers. [15109/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Following the suspension of the Early Retirement Scheme on 14 October, 2008 due to budgetary constraints it became apparent that there was a number of farmers who had their preparations to apply for the Scheme completed or close to completion at that point. A decision was taken to re-open the Scheme temporarily on 23 September 2009 with limited additional funding with a view to accepting as many as possible of the applications that fell into this category. My Department received a further 175 applications up to the closing date of 30 October 2009. I have no plans to reopen the Scheme at this time.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 508: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to reinstate the installation aid assistance for farmers. [15110/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was closed to new applicants on 14 October 2008 and I have no plans to consider applications received after that date or to reopen the Scheme at this time. An allocation of almost €1 million is provided in 2011 to meet the remaining commitments under both the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and the preceding equivalent schemes.