Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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140. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding is available specifically for the setting up of a permaculture farm (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19210/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provides a range of supports, for diverse farming practices under a number of areas including Horticulture, TAMS (Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes), Organics and GLAS (Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme).

The availability of grant aid under these schemes is contingent on individual farmers meeting the normal criteria for eligibility for farming as set down by this Department.

While there is no specific grant aid scheme in place for the setting up of farms as permaculture farms, the grant aid provided under these schemes for the multiplicity of farming practices is compatible with those practices found in the permaculture system of farming.