Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 October 2013
211. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of launching a new agri-environment options scheme in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41685/13]
View answerThe Agri-Environment Options Scheme has had a very positive uptake, and despite fiscal constraints, I secured funding of €20 million per annum for AEOS 3 and 6,000 applicants received approvals in May this year. The maximum payment is €4,000 per annum, with a minimum 5 year contract. Any extension to the scheme in 2014 would have to be considered in the context of the wider budgetary situation. In view of the challenges we continue to face in terms of the public finances, and the requirement to balance competing needs both within the agricultural sector and in the economy as a whole, the government will give these matters careful consideration in the context of the upcoming Estimates process.
