Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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96. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the setting up of an islands working group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48662/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The details provided with the Parliamentary Question include reference to a number of schemes and supports delivered by my Department via the Rural Development Programme. The new Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving a more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas. These aims are of relevance to many of the issues raised in the submission of Comhar na nOileán which the Deputy has provided.

The new RDP has been developed following a substantial public consultation process in which Comhar na nOileán participated. The new RDP includes a range of supports which will be relevant to island communities, including

- a substantial new Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) and a number of other targeted environmental measures. The GLAS scheme is the successor to the recent REPS and AEOS schemes,

- continued strong support for Areas of Natural Constraint (formerly Disadvantaged Areas) incorporating a top up payment for island farmers,

- significant support for on farm capital investment,

- a range of knowledge transfer measures including support for European Innovation Partnherships,

- support for collaborative farming, and

- support for LEADER schemes.

Once the new RDP is formally adopted it will be supported by a number of implementation structures which will ensure direct stakeholder involvement in the effective implementation of the RDP. These include a Monitoring Committee and a National Rural Network. I have made arrangements in my Department to ensure that Comhar na nOileán is invited to participate in these structures.