Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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628. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the REAP scheme for farmers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33060/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I was delighted to see the huge level of interest in the Results-Based Agri Environment Pilot (REAP) demonstrated by over 10,800 applications being received for the project. REAP is a pilot initiative designed to trial the results-based model on Irish farms. As this model is expected to feature under the new CAP, REAP will better place Irish farmers and their advisors for participation in the next national agri-environment scheme to follow on from GLAS.

REAP will be part-funded under the technical assistance measure of Ireland's Rural Development Programme. The pilot nature of the project lead to initial expectations that participant numbers would not exceed 2,000 places. However, participation numbers in the project were increased significantly. Now, almost 5,000 farmers will be supported to undertake environmental commitments to increase the environmental value of existing farm features. This figure is more than double the original participation figure envisioned.

As REAP was oversubscribed, a ranking and selection process was used to assess applications. This process considered the presence of priority water areas, (as defined by the EPA), and the proportion of Natura and ANC land on the holding. The details of the selection process are listed in section 10 of the REAP terms and conditions. There will be further opportunities for these farmers to engage in agri-environment schemes under the next CAP on which intensive work is underway to design these schemes in consultation with stakeholders.