Vol. 477 No. 1
31 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of farmers in Connemara, west of the Corrib and Galway city, participating in the de-stocking measures under the REP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8383/97]
66 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of farmers in Connemara, west of the Corrib and Galway city, participating in the REP scheme. [8384/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 66 together.
It is estimated that 595 farmers in Connemara have been approved for payment under the scheme. A further 61 applications have been received from farmers in Connemara and these applications are being processed at present.
A destocking payment option applies to farmers with lands in either proposed natural heritage areas — NHAs — or designated degraded — overgrazed — areas. To date seven farmers in Connemara have availed of the REPS destocking payment option.
