Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Nov 1991

Vol. 413 No. 1

Written Answers. - Environmentally Sensitive Areas Aid.

Enda Kenny

Question:

70 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the financial allocation made available in respect of compensation for environmentally sensitive areas; if he will further outline (1) the amounts for each of the past three years, (2) the location of each such area, (3) the amount paid in each case and (4) the proposed amount to be made available for 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Dr. Woods)

A provision of £100,000 was made for the first time in the Vote for Agriculture and Food for 1990 for a scheme of aid for farmers in areas to be designated as environmentally sensitive. The provision was repeated in 1991.

In February last my predecessor as Minister for Agriculture and Food announced that, following a report by an Inter-Departmental committee set up in February 1990, two areas had been selected for launching the initiative on a pilot basis, viz part of the Slieve Blooms in County Laois and Offaly and Slyne Head, County Galway. The necessary scheme has been drawn up and is now in the final stages of negotiation with the EC Commission. There has been no expenditure to date, since there can be no question of implementation in advance of Commission approval.

I am not yet in a position to indicate the provision to be made for this measure for 1992.