Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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209. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the Shannon Callows farm plan scheme from the National Parks and Wildlife Service will be advertised in local papers circulating in the area concerned; the reason that the scheme was not advertised in 2021; when the scheme will open and close for applications; the number of potential eligible landowners in the Callows; the number who applied in 2021; the number that were approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45301/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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While there is no scheme specifically for the Shannon Callows, my Department's National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) operates an agri-environmental scheme, on a national basis, referred to as the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. This scheme exists to support landowners who farm for nature, both financially and by way of expert advice.

An Expression of Interest form for the Farm Plan Scheme is available on the NPWS website (www.npws.ie), and any interested parties will be directly notified when any call for applications is open.

The call for applications to the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme in 2021 was widely advertised, including extensive coverage in the farming media and directly to various farming organisations, as well as the Agricultural Consultants Association. There is no plan to advertise a scheme limited only to the Shannon Callows.

All landowners are eligible to apply to the Farm Plan Scheme. The number of landowners that can be accepted into the scheme is limited by the available budget. All applications made for the Scheme which have come from the Shannon Callows have been accepted to go forward to have farm plans prepared. In 2021, a total of 8 applications were made landowners managing land in the Shannon Callows.