Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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200. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the new rural development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3353/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As part of the decisions associated with the Direct Payments I recently announced, I have decided that the payments received under the 2014 Grassland Sheep Scheme will be incorporated into the calculation of an individual’s entitlement value in 2015.

Further support for this vital sector is maintained in the overall CAP package, including the following measures under the RDP:

- provision is made to improve efficiency and profitability in sheep production is made under the Knowledge Transfer, and

- Capital funding for the sector will be available under the capital investment measures.

These measures will be in addition to the new GLAS environmental scheme and payments for farmers in Areas of Natural Constraint of which I expect sheep farmers to be substantial beneficiaries.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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201. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the new GLAS scheme should have a higher maximum payment than the proposed €5,000 and it is essential that the €2,000 top up GLAS is available to all farmers with natura land; if this new scheme should also be open for applications in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3354/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Decisions on the GLAS scheme including access to the extra €2,000 will be made as part of the consultation process with stakeholders which is currently underway. In order to facilitate this consultation process details of the proposed GLAS scheme have been published in the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014 -2020 Draft Consultation Programme.

Following that process, formal proposals will be drafted for submission to the European Commission. It is my intention to prioritise this work in order to gain EU approval at the earliest possible date to facilitate roll out of the scheme.