Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 January 2014
201. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the new GLAS scheme should have a higher maximum payment than the proposed €5,000 and it is essential that the €2,000 top up GLAS is available to all farmers with natura land; if this new scheme should also be open for applications in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3354/14]
View answerDecisions on the GLAS scheme including access to the extra €2,000 will be made as part of the consultation process with stakeholders which is currently underway. In order to facilitate this consultation process details of the proposed GLAS scheme have been published in the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014 -2020 Draft Consultation Programme.
Following that process, formal proposals will be drafted for submission to the European Commission. It is my intention to prioritise this work in order to gain EU approval at the earliest possible date to facilitate roll out of the scheme.
