Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
385. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a 2023 payment will issue to a farmer in County Kerry (details supplied) for Natterjack toad ponds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16017/24]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (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 is limited and a competitive process was applied to the selection of plans from the round of applications that the applicant was part of.
It was noted that some of the land in the application was already in the ACRES Co-operation Project (ACRES CP) administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This poses difficulties in terms of dual participation, given that ACRES CP adopts a ‘whole farm’ approach. Should the applicant wish to engage further on this, they may contact Agri.Ecology@npws.gov.ie and further details can be discussed.
