Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2021
233. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the €3 million allocated in Budget 2020 for pilot new agri-environmental schemes was utilised; if it was carried over into the 2021 financial year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32379/21]
View answerAs part of the budget announcement in October 2019, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced an allocation of €3 million to fund additional pilot projects aimed specifically at climate measures in agriculture. These pilot projects are intended to focus on increasing carbon sequestration and contributing to meeting our commitments as part of the Government Climate Action Plan. They will also enhance the protection of bio-diversity and water quality and provide a template for action in advance of Ireland's next Common Agriculture Policy.
An open call for a new pilot European Innovation Partnership (EIP) scheme on reduced management of farmed peat-land was announced in August 2020 and closed for applications in October 2020. The Department received four proposals under the Call, of which two were approved for funding.
As these two pilot projects did not begin operating until 2021, there was no expenditure in relation to them in 2020. Almost €300,000 has been paid to date in respect of these projects.
