Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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297. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers enrolled in AEOS scheme whose contracts will end in 2017; the average payment for these AEOS participants to date; if he will permit such farmers to join GLAS under a fourth round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34317/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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There are no AEOS contracts ending in 2017. AEOS 1 participants completed their contracts on 31 December 2015. AEOS 2 participants will complete their contracts on 31 December 2016, and the remaining AEOS 3 participants will finish on 31 December 2018. The average payment due  to AEOS 2 and AEOS 3 participants for the 2016 Scheme year is €3,300.

Recently, I launched the third and final tranche of GLAS with a view to bringing participation in the Scheme  to at least 50,000 farmers and to utilise the full budget allocated to the Scheme. Current AEOS  participants can apply now  to join GLAS under tranche 3.