Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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249. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Results-Based Environment-Agri Pilot Project can be expanded to include low income farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23358/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government commits to rewarding farmers for adapting to more sustainable methods of farming and to the development of a new agri-environment scheme capable of delivering broad environmental and biodiversity benefits that will align financial supports with climate objectives. To advance this aim, the Results-Based Environmental Agri Pilot Project (REAP) opened for applications on 21st April.

REAP is an innovative, ambitious and farmer-friendly pilot that will deliver an important income boost to farmers including those on low income. While the project will support our environmental objectives, it will also support farm incomes by providing up to €12,600 to participating farms over the term of their REAP contract. It is a targeted measure for farmers not currently participating in other agri-environment schemes.

Full details of the project including payment rates, terms, conditions and specifications are now available on the Department's section of the Government website.