Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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44. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the €1.5 billion agri-environmental scheme that will be funded through the carbon tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51713/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Work is ongoing on the development of a new agri-environmental climate measure under the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) with due regard to the proposed new Green Architecture.  It is proposed that the new measure will include a range of actions encompassing agri-environment, climate, water quality and biodiversity, and will include targeting of priority habitats.

A hybrid model is being considered which means it would offer a combination of prescription-based actions with a fixed rate of payment and results-based actions where the level of payment will be dependent on results achieved.

The funding allocation for future agri-environment measures arising out of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), including the use of Carbon Tax funds, will be determined in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Work on the preparation of the overall draft CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (CSP) has intensified in my Department. Development of the plan involves a number of stages, including SWOT analysis, needs assessment, intervention design, financial allocations, target setting (including monitoring) and governance systems. The draft CSP is also subject to an ex-ante evaluation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment including a public consultation on the draft CSP and draft Environmental Report. 

A five-week public consultation on the proposed draft interventions for the CSP 2023-2027 has been completed, with the Department receiving over 1,000 responses. Department officials are currently considering these responses as the CSP is developed. 

I am also consulting with farmers and other stakeholders on the content of the CSP at a series of mart meetings.  I will continue to engage with farmers and all stakeholders as the CSP develops.