Written answers

Tuesday, 21 June 2011

Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food

Grant Payments

9:00 pm

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will reconsider his recent decision on agri-environment options scheme top-up payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16210/11]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On 6 April 2011, I announced the opening of AEOS for receipt of applications in 2011 with an overall funding allocation of €25 million per annum and a maximum payment to farmers of €4,000 per annum. The funding for the scheme had to be found within the expenditure ceilings for my Department as set out in the National Recovery Plan, 2011-2014 and I was faced with very difficult choices in deciding between competing priorities in the allocation funds to AEOS. In the circumstances and in order to maximise the number of applicants who could be accommodated in the scheme, I decided that the rate of payment for Natura or designated land would be €75/ha.

The AEOS applications received are being evaluated at present and the numbers of participants that can be accepted and the overall cost of the scheme in 2011 and subsequent years have yet to be determined. Irrespective of the final outcome in relation to the 2011 applications, the budgetary constraints and pressures remain and, in aggregate terms, the demands will continue to exceed the funds available. Nevertheless, I am conducting an extensive review of all expenditure by my Department and once this is completed, I will review issues associated with AEOS, including the matter of the payments to farmers with designated land.

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