Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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413. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected timeframe to open a liming scheme announced as part of Budget 2023; the proposed payment rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7769/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Funding of €8 million was announced for a Liming Measure as part of Budget 2023.

The Liming Measure is being introduced by my Department to incentivise the use of lime, a natural soil conditioner, which corrects soil acidity by neutralising the acids present in the soil and in turn allows for an improvement in overall soil health and biodiversity as well as improved nutrient use efficiency. This in turn facilitates a reduction in fertiliser use.

My officials are currently finalising the Terms and Conditions of the scheme which, subject to approval from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, is expected to launch shortly.

Once approval received, I will then be in a position to announce further details around the operation of the measure and the associated payment rates.