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National Parks and Wildlife Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2020

Wednesday, 30 September 2020

Questions (103)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

103. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will endeavour to secure a €10 million increase in funding for the NPWS farm plan scheme in designated areas; if his Department has corresponded with the corresponding Department on the scheme in the context of securing an increase to the budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27597/20]

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Written answers

The Farm Plan Scheme, administered by my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service, is an important instrument that allows for proactive engagement with farmers in designated sites, to trial and deliver bespoke measures that support biodiversity. Plans delivered through the Scheme have been used to inform the development of national Agri-Environment Schemes under the Rural Development Programme, co-financed under the Common Agricultural Policy.

The NPWS Farm Plan Scheme is being enlarged this year to work with farmers and to apply and test  new and innovative approaches for farmland biodiversity.  

My Department has met frequently with farmers' organisations and I am fully aware of their proposals with respect to an expansion of the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. The matter is receiving close attention and is being discussed in the normal Estimates process and considered in the context of existing commitments, the overall resources available to the Government and the demands on those resources. 

In addition, officials of my Department continue to liaise with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the development of the CAP Strategic Plan, which will also have a significant role to play in the delivery of measures for farmland biodiversity in the next operating period.

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