Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals he has for opening the agri environmental option scheme for land outside of special areas of conservation and commonage for farmers who have left the REP scheme 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28660/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am actively considering the possibility of re-opening Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) to allow for the submission of applications either on an amended basis from the existing scheme and/or on a limited scale, including 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 of January 2013.

The full year cost of any new scheme will have to be met in 2013 and any decision to re-open AEOS will be taken in the context of the resources available and the need to remain within the agreed expenditure ceiling for my Department in 2013.