I presume the Deputy is referring to special areas of conservation and overgrazed areas. Under the terms of an agreement reached with the farm bodies in February this year, farmers with lands designated as special areas of conservation or overgrazed areas must farm in accordance with an approved agri-environmental plan. Farmers will have the option of participating in either a REP scheme operated by my Department or a national scheme operated by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
The proposed package for SACs and overgrazed areas will provide for payment of ewe premia and headage to farmers in these areas dependent on their following an approved agri-environmental plan under either scheme. The introduction of this requirement is conditional upon the satisfactory completion of current negotiations between my Department and the European Commission on the revised REPS package.
It is estimated that there are approximately 10,000 farmers in the SACs and overgrazed areas combined. The designation process for SACs is not yet complete and, therefore, it is not possible to give a breakdown by county.
It is a condition of REPS that the participating farmer includes all his lands and carries out his/her farming activities in accordance with the agri-environmental plan and in compliance with the scheme conditions.
The improved REPS package is under negotiation with the European Commission. I will make an announcement as soon as agreement is reached on this package.