Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2015
125. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is an automatic top-up under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme plus for Natura 2000, national heritage areas and commonage land; the amount of the top-up; the conditions applying to it in such cases; the maximum amount of land on which it will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9736/15]
View answerThe proposed maximum payment under the GLAS Scheme is €5,000 for eligible farmers per annum, with an additional €2,000 per annum for those in GLAS+, in return for exceptional environmental commitment. Farms identified as habitats of endangered birds, which includes the Hen Harrier, will automatically receive up to €7,000 a year, if the area managed is large enough. Other farms with two or more Priority Environmental Assets – which could include a combination of privately-owned Natura and Commonage - may qualify for GLAS+ provided that they have enough land to draw down the additional payment. NHA land does not qualify in its own right as a Priority Environmental Asset.
