Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
386. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a 2023 NPWS farm scheme application submitted by a person in County Kerry (details supplied) for the Natterjack toad pond payments was rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16026/24]
View answerThe NPWS Farm Plan Scheme engages with farmers and landowners to support nature on their land, through encouragement, advice and financial supports. As with any scheme, the number of plans that can be approved is limited and a competitive process was applied to the selection of plans from the applications received.
It was noted that some of the land submitted by the applicant is already in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme Cooperation Project (ACRES CP) administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This poses difficulties in terms of dual participation, given ACRES CP adopts a ‘whole farm’ approach, and on that basis the application was not approved. Should the applicant wish to engage further on this matter, contact should made with Agri.Ecology@npws.gov.ie
