Written answers

Wednesday, 16 July 2014

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Grant Payments

Photo of Seán KyneSeán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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18. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a payment will be made in 2014 to those farmers who have exited an National Parks and Wildlife Service scheme following substantial de-stocking of sheep in Connemara, County Galway, and in recognition of the positive impact this has had on the environment but for whom there has been no payment this year. [31269/14]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The 5 year grazing restriction in the 12 Bens/Garraun Complex and Maam Turk Mountains Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) ran from the 1 November 2008 until the 31 October 2013. This grazing restriction was lifted on 1 November 2013. As there is no ongoing restriction in these areas, no further compensation falls due.

I am advised that my Department has fulfilled its financial commitments to all other farmers in the area who were in REPS and the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme, where all fully completed documentation was received from participants.

Appropriate supports for sustainable upland farming in the future will be provided for in the next Rural Development Programme and my Department has been in close consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in this regard.

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