Michael Ring
Question:47 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the length of time before the framework is in place for farmers with commonage on their area aid applications. [24245/98]
Written Answers. - Area Aid Applications.
The preparation of framework plans under REPS for commonages is a major undertaking and it will take a considerable time before they are available.
In the meantime, as I announced last week, interim arrangements have been agreed between my Department and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands to put a national commonage framework plan in place pending the completion of individual commonage framework plans. This means that the farmers concerned who are already in REPS or who join, on the basis of the national framework plan, can avail of the higher rates of compensation of £80 per acre for the first 100 acres with additional payments for the next 200 acres.