Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a meaningful scheme like REP scheme 3 and 4 will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41405/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am acutely aware of the importance of the agri environment schemes to the agriculture sector not only in environmental terms but also from the point of view of farm incomes. Last week, I announced that despite the challenging budgetary constraints in my Department, I have re-opened the Agri-environmental Options Scheme and am providing €20m to admit new participants.

A maximum payment of €4,000 per annum for individual applicants will apply under the re-opened scheme which is a continuation of the situation under last year’s scheme. I am confident that up to 6,000 new participants can be accepted into the scheme with the level of funding that I am providing. Full details of the scheme will be available to applicants in the next few days.