Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

479. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of grant payments for a person (details supplied); if the grant will continue to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33968/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The person named applied to participate in both the 2019 and 2020 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme years.  However, he did not qualify for payment in either year as he did not satisfy the minimum stocking requirements set out in the terms and conditions of the scheme.

An appeal was received on behalf of  the person named  on 21st June 2021.  Following a review of the case, I can confirm that the appeal was successful and payment will issue to the person named shortly in respect of both 2019 and 2020 ANC scheme years.  

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

480. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if additional funding will be provided for the REAP scheme given the significant demand by farmers for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33985/21]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

481. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the scoring criteria for the REAP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33986/21]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

482. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of REAP scheme applications received; the number rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33992/21]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

483. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grounds that will be considered for reviews of decisions from REAP scheme applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33994/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 480 to 483, inclusive, together.

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 by the Department. 

Initially, as REAP is a pilot initiative, we were limited to 2,000 spaces. However, the participation numbers in the project have been increased following consultation I had with the EU Commission. Approvals have now issued to 4,926 farmers for support to undertake environmental commitments to increase the environmental value of their farm features. This figure is more than double the original participation figure envisioned and there are no plans to increase the figure further.

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 is outlined in section 10 of the REAP terms and conditions.

Applicants have a right to request a review of the decision to be declined entry to REAP, similar to other Department decisions, if they feel that decision was incorrect.  Such review requests must set out the reason why the decision is considered to be incorrect. Full details of this option and contact details are included in correspondence that has issued directly to the farmers concerned.