Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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327. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if all farmers with special areas of conservation lands will be entitled to apply for the scheme and be admitted to National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) farm plan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51150/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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All farmers are encouraged to make applications for the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. However, as with any scheme, numbers will be limited and it is not possible to guarantee every applicant will be accepted. Applications from farmers with designated lands, including Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Natural Heritage Areas, are prioritised for consideration.

It is my intention to make an open call for further applications in early 2023.