Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
101. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if all pubs will be included for funding under the outdoor enhancement scheme which was announced recently; the reason wet pubs are not included for this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21935/21]
View answer112. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will amend the new outdoor dining enhancement scheme to include all hospitality establishments, including so-called wet pubs in order to ensure equity across the sector in administering the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21826/21]
View answerAn additional €79 million, including €23 million from the carbon tax fund, was provided in Budget 2021 to support actions by my Department in the area of biodiversity, climate, environment and farm health and safety, all the while supporting farm incomes. This is already being implemented across a range of agri-environment measures through the REAP measure, the re-opening of the Organics scheme and the new call for EIPs on biodiversity, for example. I will be announcing other initiatives from this allocation as the year progresses.
The Results-Based Environment Agri Pilot (REAP) Project for 2021 is the flagship transitional scheme for this year. The aim of this pilot project is to trial an agri-environment results-based scoring system at a national level with a view to identifying up scaling potential for possible inclusion in the next flagship national agri-environment scheme. This model makes it worthwhile for participants to gain an understanding of the conditions required for the delivery of optimum biodiversity and environmental benefits.
Full details of the project including terms and conditions and specifications are available on the Department's section of gov.ie.
