asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will arrange to have the electoral districts of Kiltallagh, Keelanore, Milltown and Dromeen included in the disadvantaged areas scheme in view of the fact that these areas are mainly mountainous and are inhabited by farmers with small holdings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.
25.
The four electoral districts referred to in the question are included in the areas designated as disadvantaged for the purposes of the EEC directive. They do not however qualify for the special livestock headage payments which under the terms of the directive must be confined to the most severely handicapped parts of the disadvantaged areas. As already indicated, I am having the position of certain marginal areas in County Kerry re-examined at present and this re-examination will extend to the districts referred to by the Deputy.
Did I understand the Minister to say that those electoral divisions are part of the disadvantaged areas?
Yes, but not for the purpose of headage payments.
This I cannot understand, because two of them are mountainous sheep areas and are much more disadvantaged than many of the areas included in the scheme. Would the Minister have them re-examined specifically to have them included?
I have given the Deputy that information in my reply. That is one of the areas being considered at the moment. My information indicates that the reason they are not included is because they are mainly dairy areas and the incomes generally are high.
The Minister can accept from me that there are areas in the scheme which are much more dairy intensive than those I mentioned which are at the top of the Tralee mountains.
They are under consideration.
Mr. Kitt
Is the Minister having marginal areas re-examined.
Yes.
The Deputy is widening the scope of the question.
Mr. Kitt
Could the Minister tell us the names of the other marginal areas which are being re-examined?
I do not have the answer to that question.
Question No. 26 postponed.
27.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of farmers who will benefit under the EEC disadvantaged areas scheme; the amount payable to them, and the number of farmers excluded because of late applications.
It is expected that grants amounting to almost £11 million will be paid to about 62,500 farmers participating in the EEC disadvantaged areas scheme. Four hundred and sixty five applicants were excluded from this scheme because of late applications. In addition, grants amounting to almost £2 million have been paid to sheep owners who were eligible to receive grants under the same scheme.
Could the Minister say if the sum of £11 million includes payments which had hitherto been paid under the beef incentive scheme?
Yes, but there is still quite a substantial net extra being paid.