Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if future agri-environment option schemes will have a longer opening period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1993/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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1I am considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environmental Options Scheme in 2012, possibly on an amended basis or on a limited scale and will make an announcement on the matter in due course. The full year cost of funding a new scheme will fall to be met in 2013 and the decision to re-open for applications in 2012 will be taken in the context of my Department's expenditure ceiling for 2013 as agreed by Government and, in particular, on how a new scheme might be funded within the reduced funding and the resulting pressures on the 2013 Vote for my Department.