Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
2441. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of the base payment for the upcoming pilot of the new agri-environmental scheme; and if participating farmers will receive the maximum base payment through this trial period. [18195/21]
View answer2484. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will deliver the maximum base payment to farmers in the agri-environmental REPs scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18996/21]
View answer2511. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to giving priority entry into environmental schemes to farmers who have land that is designated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19525/21]
View answer2554. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of places that will be available for the new agri-environmental pilot scheme in 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20281/21]
View answer2555. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding allocated to the new agri-environmental pilot scheme for 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20282/21]
View answer2556. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the new agri-environmental pilot scheme will open for applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20283/21]
View answer2557. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the terms and conditions of the new agri-environmental pilot scheme will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20284/21]
View answer2558. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the new agri-environmental pilot scheme will be open to all farmers who are not currently part of an environmental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20285/21]
View answer2559. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider setting the minimum base payment of the REAP pilot scheme to €10,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20328/21]
View answer2560. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on progress to formulate a new REPS scheme; if farm organisations will be included as stakeholders in the process to design the new REPS scheme; if this new scheme will have a minimum base payment of €10,000; if the scheme will be open to all farmers not currently in GLAS; the number of farmers that can participate in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20459/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2441, 2484, 2511 and 2554 to 2560, inclusive, together.
The Programme for Government commits to rewarding farmers for adapting to more sustainable methods of farming and to the development of a new agri-environment scheme capable of delivering broad environmental and biodiversity benefits that will align financial supports with climate objectives. To advance this aim, the Results-Based Environmental Agri Pilot Project (REAP) is being launched this week.
The aim of this pilot project is to identify a suitable agri-environment results-based scoring system and to trial this system at a national level with a view to identifying up scaling potential for possible inclusion in the next national agri-environment scheme. Under the results-based model, farm holdings with the highest scoring receive the greatest payment. By linking payments to defined indicators the results-based model creates a financial incentive linked with outcomes for participating farmers. The model also makes it worthwhile for participants to gain an understanding of the conditions required for the delivery of optimum biodiversity and environmental benefits.
REAP will be provided for under the technical assistance measure of the rural development programme and is subject to EU Commission approval of the 10th amendment to Ireland's RDP. Full details of the project including terms and conditions and specifications are now available on the Department's section of the Government website.
REAP is an innovative, ambitious and farmer-friendly pilot that will deliver an important income boost to farmers while also underlining our commitment to biodiversity.
