asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will review the restricting conditions operated by his Department which effectively reduce the disadvantaged area grants available to Irish farmers by 40 per cent.
Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Area Grants.
84.
The main restricting conditions operated by my Department under the disadvantaged areas schemes are the off-farm income and forage area limits and the restrictions on the numbers of animals eligible for grants but these do not reduce the disadvantaged area grants available to Irish farmers to the extent indicated. The restricting conditions will fall to be reviewed in the light of any increased funds that may be available if and when the EC responds to Ireland's request for an increase in our reimbursement rate from 50 per cent to 75 per cent.