Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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910. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons approved into the green low carbon agri environment scheme to date; the average annual payment per person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46105/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Green, Low-carbon, Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) provides valuable support to farmers to deliver environmental benefits and public goods which will enhance Ireland's sustainability credentials into the future. It provides support to Irish farmers aimed at enhancing biodiversity, water quality and the mitigation of the future impacts of climate change while allowing Irish farmers to improve their agricultural practices.

There are currently almost 36,600 active participants between GLAS 1 and 2. In addition, almost 13,500 have been approved into GLAS 3.  The targeted level of approvals by end of 2018  of 50,000 farmers as set out in Ireland's Rural Development Programme was achieved on 1 January 2017.

The average GLAS basic contract payment for GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 is €4,250 per annum.  The average payment for GLAS 3  will only be available when first payment calculations are fully completed.