Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 March 2012
25 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of funding provided for REP scheme and agri-environment options scheme for 2011; the expenditure incurred under those schemes in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14635/12]
View answerI am committed to agri-environment schemes, which put environmentally-friendly farming to the forefront and which recognise the vital role farmers play in delivering public goods for the benefit of all society. The funding provided for agri-environment schemes, covering the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and the Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) 2011 was €337 million. The actual expenditure incurred for REPS and AEOS in 2011 was €262.9 and €14.1 million respectively. Despite the financial pressures facing my Department, I have made provision in 2012 for the schemes of €243 million.
