Payments under the Burren Programme have begun to issue, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Pippa Hackett has confirmed.

Approximately €750,000 in payments, representing 85% of the total due, are being made in respect of the 2020 scheme year, and are the first of several batches that will be made to participating farmers.

The Burren Programme is a national and European Union co-funded scheme under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, which pays farmers for facilitating and developing these habitats.

They have enriched the social and community environment where they live

Minister Hackett said: “The 328 participating farmers in this innovative programme make a hugely significant contribution to maintaining and conserving the unique landscape of the Burren region.

“They have enriched the social and community environment where they live, and they are proud to farm in a way which honours their agricultural heritage and culture.”

Encouraging results

The Minister also announced that an evaluation of the Burren Programme has recently been completed by AECOM Ltd, assessing the environmental, economic and social impacts of the programme.

Minister Hackett continued: “The evaluation found that the programme has been successful in encouraging sustainable grazing and removing encroaching scrub on over 23,000ha, providing space for rare flowers.”

AECOM Ltd estimates that the value of habitat and landscape improvements delivered amount to €32.8m since 2010.

The company also estimates that the programme and its predecessor, the Burren Farming for Conservation Programme, have also provided a boost to the local economy and generated €30.3m in economic activity since 2010.

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