Agriculture Scheme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2014

Tuesday, 1 July 2014

Ceisteanna (349)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

349. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will send the application seeking approval for the terms and conditions of the new GLAS scheme to the EU; if he will remove the condition requiring a 50% threshold for farmers with commonage land to participate in the scheme in view of the fact that figures show only 24% of farmers with commonage land participated in previous environmental schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27808/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I intend to finalise and submit the full Rural Development Programme for Ireland to the EU for approval within the next week. This will include the detailed proposals for GLAS. As regards farmers with commonage, the key thing here has always been to balance the critical mass required to deliver a meaningful commonage plan acceptable under the various National and EU funded schemes. The consultation process on the RDP has not yet concluded and I am aware of the issues raised on this point by farm organisations. I am considering how best to address the issues raised.