Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2017
515. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the new hen harrier scheme will be open for persons to apply to it; if the first payments will issue in 2017; when he envisages the current timeline for the issues arising from the tendering process will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15466/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed new scheme for the conservation of the hen harrier marks a new departure in the way in which such schemes are designed and delivered. Instead of this being done from the top down, a more consultative and farmer-led approach is being tested.
In the first instance, this meant recruiting a dedicated project team capable of delivering the new scheme at the local level and to this end my Department invited tenders from interested parties late last year. The closing date for this was 24 January 2017 and following evaluation of the submissions, my Department has selected its preferred bidder. At the present time, the process is in standstill in accordance with procurement law. When all elements of the procurement process have been completed, the necessary contracts can be signed and work will then commence on developing the new scheme in consultation with all the relevant stakeholders, including the farmers concerned. Once this stage has been completed, the process of recruiting farmers into the new scheme will commence.
While there is still a lot of work to be done, I do anticipate that the first farmers will join the scheme later this year and that the first payment will include 2017. However, unlike other schemes, the new hen harrier scheme will not be tied to the calendar year, and this provides for greater flexibility in payment. At this point I cannot say when the first payments will actually issue, as that process is one to be decided by the project team when they are ultimately appointed.
