Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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1191. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts he is taking to minimise the impact of eco-schemes on each farmer’s basic payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30901/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The various provisions under the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are still under negotiation and, at this time, there is no certainty with regard to the proportion of the direct payments ceiling allocated to eco-schemes.

The trilogue negotiations have proposed varying minimum percentages from the direct payments ceiling for allocation to eco-schemes in the range from 20% to 30%. At this point, the exact nature of the application of the eco-schemes is not yet available.

Throughout these negotiations, I have been fighting for maximum flexibility for the Member States when it comes to how the new CAP Strategic Plan is implemented. In order to obtain the best outcome for farmers and for the environment, eco-schemes are being designed so that they are accessible for all farmers.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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1192. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts his Department is making to realise the commitment to maximise national co-financing of CAP pillar 2 schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30902/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland’s execution of the EAFRD 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme (RDP) to date is one of the highest in Europe with 92% of the approved €2.1bn existing EAFRD financial plan having been executed to date in comparison to the EU average to date of 69%.

The Department has executed 95% of the existing EAFRD funding allocation of €2.033bn (excl Leader) with the remaining existing funds fully committed.

EU approval has recently been received for an amendment to the RDP, which will incorporate additional funding of €880m provided under transitional arrangements, bringing the overall EAFRD 2014-2022 envelope to €3.07bn.

With regard to the next programming period, the Department is actively engaging with both the European Commission and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in order to optimise the use of available EU funds going forward.