Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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661. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 607 of 10 November 2015, and given that her predecessor stated in reply to a previous parliamentary question (details supplied) that a specific payment for costs and losses incurred due to restrictions imposed as a result of designation would be paid to farmers, if she will establish a farm plan scheme or another similar scheme without delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43834/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A habitat enhancement scheme or farm plan was previously available from my Department to farmers in designated sites to undertake proactive measures for the conservation interests in question. These measures were not a condition of designation, nor were they compensation for designation. Any commitments made by farmers were voluntary in nature and lasted for the period of the farm plan. This scheme was closed to new applicants in April 2010. My Department will enter into new farm plan contracts only in specific cases where proactive measures are required by or overseen by my Department to protect/restore an important species or habitat and where such measures are not already provided for under schemes administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Compensation may be payable where a person has been refused consent by me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, for a prescribed activity within a designated site that he or she had been lawfully undertaking in the five year period prior to the refusal.