Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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1672. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason persons (details supplied) in County Kerry were unsuccessful in their application for the mussel habitat scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30929/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that applications to join the KerryLIFE project were assessed using criteria laid down by the KerryLIFE Project Management Group, as follows:

-The presence of land within 200m of targeted freshwater pearl mussel habitat, ranked by area.

-The area of land on a farm holding within 200m of other freshwater pearl mussel habitat.

-The area of land within 100m of large streams and rivers feeding into the targeted habitat.

-The area of land within 50m of small tributaries streams feeding into the targeted habitat.

-The results of the rapid catchment-level agricultural risk assessment.

-The potential for implementing concrete conservation actions in the KerryLIFE project.

I understand that the applicant referred to in the Deputy’s Question has two separate land holdings and associated herd numbers within the project area. Both land holdings were assessed and, while meeting the criteria, they ranked outside the first 50 farms that were granted a place on the project. The two land holdings of the applicant, along with all other farmers who expressed an interest in participating in the project, were placed on a reserve list. Where a farmer who has been granted a place on the project withdraws, their place will be offered to the next farmer on the reserve list in order of rank. This information has been conveyed directly to the applicant.