Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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114. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the date for the spreading of lime to the end of July due to the late cutting of meadows caused by inclement weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25847/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in March this year, I announced important flexibility to the date by which lime must be spread under the 2023 National Liming Programme to 28th June 2024. This extension was permitted due to the challenging weather conditions at that time.

However, with the continued poor weather and little improvement in soil trafficability in some parts of the country, I have just announced a further extension to the spreading date for the Liming Programme.

Lime purchased under the scheme, can now be spread by Monday 31st October 2024. As payments in the Liming Programme must issue in 2024, no further extensions will be considered.