Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 May 2012
28 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he expects funding to be made available for the reopening of agri environment options scheme in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23335/12]
View answerI am actively considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environmental Options Scheme to allow for the submission of applications either on an amended basis from the existing scheme and/or on a limited scale and, in particular, the possibility of re-opening for applications later in the year with a possible closing date for applications of end September and a commencement date for new participants of January 2013.
The full year cost of any new scheme will have to be met in 2013 and any decision to re-open AEOS will be taken in the context of the resources available and the need to remain within the agreed expenditure ceiling for my Department in 2013.
