John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to extend agri environment options scheme to new entrants and those exiting the REP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23247/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am actively considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environmental Options Scheme to allow for the submission of applications either on an amended basis from the existing scheme and/or on a limited scale and, in particular, the possibility of re-opening for applications later in the year with a possible closing date for applications of end September and a commencement date for new participants of January 2013.

Any decision to re-open AEOS will be taken in the context of 2013 Estimate in order to remain within the agreed expenditure ceiling for my Department in 2013.