Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

182. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to compensate persons impacted by the hen harrier designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49740/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

At the outset, I would like to clarify that my Department has no role in the designation of lands.  That function is exercised through the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.  The question of compensation does not arise, therefore, in the context of any schemes or measures introduced by my Department.

That said, many of these designations are for species or habitats whose conservation is encouraged.  With regard to the Locally-led Hen Harrier Programme I have provided a budget of €25 million for this new innovative agri-environment approach.  This is in addition to the significant framework of support for farmers with hen-harrier designated land already in place through my Department's agri-environment scheme GLAS.  Under GLAS, farmers with hen harrier habitat qualify for a payment of €370 per hectare and can earn up to €7,000 per annum through a combination of GLAS and GLAS Plus payments.  The GLAS Hen Harrier action has proved hugely successful, with some 2,678 farmers now signed up. This accounts for almost 70% of all farmers with hen harrier habitat and represents a major step forward in the conservation of the bird and in securing important additional income for the farmers concerned.