Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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162. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address an issue (details supplied) regarding the new farm pilot schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22401/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Results Based Environment Agri Pilot (REAP) Project is designed to test the results-based approach on a variety of farm types. The project will feed into the development of the next national agri-environment scheme to follow on from GLAS. Similar to the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) projects, REAP is designed to focus on key learning objectives.

With the aim of broadening farmer participation in agri-environment schemes, REAP is being offered to farmers who have not been approved into GLAS, Organics and certain EIP projects, including the Hen Harrier Project. Eligibility requirements are scheme/project specific. The conditions and eligibility requirements of other projects, including those to apply for the next national agri-environment scheme in the post 2023 period are completely separate.

As the Deputy is aware, the five-year Hen Harrier EIP is in operation to compensate farmers for maintaining their lands in a manner to protect the breeding of Hen Harriers. The Hen Harrier action is also being undertaken by 2,607 farmers in GLAS including those in Tranches 1 and 2 of the scheme who have opted to extend their GLAS contracts for an additional year to the end of 2021.