Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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36. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to making resources available in order that all farmers that have applied to the REAP scheme which opened in the past number of weeks for applications and had by its closing date 11,000 applications from farmers will be accepted into the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27026/21]

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, a small pilot project, 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 participating farmers. 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.

The application stage is now closed and I’m delighted with the level of interest shown with 10,800 applications submitted from 455 advisors. REAP will be funded from the technical assistance budget of the Rural Development Programme, subject to EU Commission approval of the 10th amendment. My officials are now in contact with the European Commission seeking advice in relation to determining the number of applicants that may be permitted to be accepted into the project. I have also written tot the European Commissioner directly on the matter.

Pending any developments with the EU Commission, a ranking and selection process will take place to decide the applications that are accepted. The details of this process are outlined in the terms and conditions. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by the Department in writing regarding their application for REAP.