Written answers

Tuesday, 24 September 2013

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications

Photo of Tom FlemingTom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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469. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the applications of the approximately 3,500 farmers excluded from the agri-environment options scheme 3, in the context of Budget 2014 and in view of the positive impact that the REP scheme/AEOS schemes have made in contributing to the enhancement of the environment and the valuable expenditure by participating farmers on goods and services, which has contributed enormously to local economies. [39771/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Agri-Environment Options Scheme has had a very positive uptake, which is why I was more than happy to open AEOS 3 in 2012, despite fiscal constraints. I secured funding of €20 million per annum for the Scheme and 6,000 applicants received approvals in May this year. The maximum payment is €4,000 per annum, with a minimum 5 year contract. The Scheme was oversubscribed, with 9,703 applications received, therefore 3,703 could not be accommodated within the budget. 360 of these were invalid applications and 3,343 did not meet the selection criteria. The selection criteria gave priority access to farmers in designated areas and to farmers with smaller holdings who were previously in REPS.

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