Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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687. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the criteria enabling agri-environmental payments under the NPWS farm plan scheme on land that has been deemed ineligible under the basic payment scheme. [11091/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The National Parks & Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme is operated by my Department in accordance with the criteria outlined in the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme Terms & Conditions document (found at www.npws.ie) and is entirely national exchequer funded.

There is no automatic prohibition on payments under the National Parks & Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme on lands deemed ineligible under the Basic Payment Scheme, provided the lands are managed in compliance with an approved plan and the conditions support the targeted habitats or species. 

In a broader EAFRD context, under Article 28 of Regulation 1305/2013, ineligible features under Pillar 1 can where appropriate be paid under Pillar 2, provided this is agreed at Member State level.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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688. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason payments cannot be claimed in the NPWS farm plan scheme in respect of land included in a forestry scheme including the native woodland scheme. [11092/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The National Parks & Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme operated by Department is targeted at the maintenance, enhancement and creation of habitats on farmed land. The habitats and species that have been the subject of plans thus far e.g. sand dunes, hay meadows, corncrake, breeding waders, hen harrier, etc. are typically not compatible with woodland or forestry.