Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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541. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria for entry into category 1, 2 and 3 under the newly opened hen harrier scheme; when the first payments will issue for the scheme; the average estimated payment to participants; the budget allocated under the RDP 2014-20 to this scheme; and the amount of funds expended to date under the relevant RDP measure. [53642/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, I should stress that this is a locally led programme, which is not directly administered by my Department.  The design and management of the programme are primarily matters for the local project team.

Information regarding the selection criteria and payments available to farmers can be found in the Terms and Conditions for the Programme. The Terms & Conditions can be obtained from the Hen Harrier project team and are also available on their website www.henharrierproject.ie.

As I have stated above, the management of the programme is undertaken by a local project team.  Decisions on issues with regard to payment dates and payable amounts are matters for the local project team.  However, funding for the Programme is provided through Ireland's Rural Development Plan and I have allocated a budget of €25 million for the Hen Harrier Programme.