29 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of applicants under the agri-environment options scheme that remain outstanding; when it is expected successful applicants will receive notification of a start date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40591/10]

Some 6,000 letters of approval for participation in the scheme have now issued to applicants under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme. Comprehensive administrative and validation checks must be carried out on all applications to ensure eligibility and compliance with the terms and condition of the scheme before letters of approvals can issue, particularly in the case of those applications which required the submission of a Sustainable Management Plan. This represents the majority of 3,419 applicants who have not yet received a start date. I expect the administrative and validation process to be completed and all outstanding cases to be notified of the outcome of their application before the end of November, with successful applicants receiving a start date of 1st November, 2010.