Between 1992 and 1995 the National Parks and Wildlife Service allocated £137,000 for corncrake conservation measures operated by the Irish Wildbird Conservancy (IWC). All of these funds, except £4,000 towards survey costs in 1993, have been earmarked for the corncrake grants scheme. The 1995 allocation is £60,000 and the scheme is operating in North Donegal, Shannon Callows and Mayo. As the rural environment protection scheme REPS is now operational I see no good conservation reason the annual interim funding arrangements, which have been in place since 1992, should continue beyond the end of this year. Even though the IWC has expressed reservations about the suitability of REPS as it now stands to cater for corncrake conservation, I am aware that they are strongly committed to its promotion. The IWC are giving special attention to encouraging the uptake of the REPS scheme in areas where the corncrake grant scheme is in operation by asking farmers to consult with an approved REPS planner. It is hoped that the farmers will join REPS within 12 months of submitting a 1995 grant application under the corncrake scheme. I am satisfied that this is the best way forward and, in the circumstances, I am not prepared at this stage to make any long term financial commitment about the funding of the corncrake grants scheme. I will, of course, pursue with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the concerns of the IWC about REPS and other matters to its operation.
