Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 February 2017
229. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of participants under the national reserve scheme in each year to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6587/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Basic Payment Scheme National Reserve was introduced in 2015. In 2015 the National Reserve fund was based on a 3% cut to the Basic Payment Scheme financial ceiling and provided some €24 million in funding. This was the maximum financing rate available under the relevant EU Regulations. The total number of beneficiaries under the National Reserve in 2015 is detailed in the following table.
|
Scheme Year |
Total Number of Beneficiaries |
|
2015 |
6,262 |
There was no National Reserve in 2016 as all available funding had been utilised under the 2015 scheme. In order to provide for a National Reserve in 2017 funding is required to replenish the Reserve. EU Regulations governing the scheme provide that funding for the replenishment of the National Reserve may be obtained by means of surrender of entitlements that remain unused by farmers for two consecutive years and by claw-back derived following the sale of entitlements without land. It is envisaged that funding derived from these two sources in 2017 will be very limited. The Regulations also provide for the option of applying a linear cut to all farmers' entitlements to fund the National Reserve.
Consultation between Department officials and the Direct Payments Advisory Committee comprising members of the main farming organisations, agricultural education and farm advisory bodies takes place annually as part of the decision making process for the National Reserve. Decisions relating to the availability of a 2017 National Reserve will be made following determination of available funding and the conclusion of the consultation process involving the Direct Payments Advisory Committee which is currently under way.
