Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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374. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine based on the experience to date with the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme, the number of applicants he expects to have joined the scheme by the end of 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively; the average payment per farmer it is hoped to achieve; the revised project payments under the scheme for these three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18677/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I estimate that the number of GLAS Scheme participants at end of 2016 will be in the order of 35,000. The maximum payment under the Scheme is €5,000 per annum and I expect most farmers to achieve this. A GLAS+ payment is available for a limited number of farmers who take on particularly challenging actions which deliver an exceptional level of environmental benefit. This GLAS+ payment will allow for up to an additional €2,000 per annum for these farmers. Increased levels of participation in 2017 and 2018, for which financial provision will need to be made, will be informed by the estimates for the respective years. In any event by the end of 2018, I anticipate that 50,000 farmers will be supported under GLAS.