Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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92. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the criteria for the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38591/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the first tranche of GLAS proved hugely successful attracting nearly 27,000 applications in all. Applications were received from every single county and virtually every action was selected at some stage. On the basis of the interest shown to date, I have no doubt that GLAS will succeed in attracting the 50,000 applications projected for it over the lifetime of the scheme. On the basis of the plans submitted for the 27,000 applications received to date, we have already met or exceeded RDP targets for Low Input Permanent Pasture, Protection of Watercourses, Laying Hedgerows, Planting New Hedgerows, Planting of Traditional Orchards, Bird, Bee and Bat Habitats, Wild Bird Cover and Stone Wall Maintenance.

For the second tranche of GLAS, which I launched recently, I revisited the various actions that are available to farmers in the light of the substantial progress made to date. Not all the actions which have met or exceeded targets require to be adjusted, given that the associated spend is in many cases relatively easily accommodated within the total budget.

However, given the huge uptake on Low Input Permanent Pasture (LIPP), adjustments have been made to this action for the next tranche. It is still possible to take up to 10 hectares of either LIPP or Traditional Hay Meadow as before, but the LIPP component is limited to 5 hectares. While this means that we will still see permanent pasture coming into GLAS, I hope it will encourage more farmers to take the hay meadow option, which is well behind target, and which delivers the same payment per hectare.

In relation to the planting of new hedgerows, this action has been suspended for Tranche 2, along with the planting of traditional orchards. Both actions have met their targets for the entire RDP, and there are concerns about the availability of planting stock. I will, however, review this for Tranche 3. I have also reduced slightly the maximum length for coppicing from 1,000 metres to 750 metres. This action is well on target and if possible I would like to encourage farmers to continue to take up the hedge-laying option which has already proved very popular.

However, the changes being made for Tranche 2 of GLAS also include areas where greater flexibility is being provided. In particular for birds, and following discussion with stakeholders and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, I have introduced a number of changes which will make it easier for farmers to adapt to the new regimes required, and which will encourage even greater uptake. I am also providing for greater flexibility on Natura land and on protection of watercourses.