Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1993

Vol. 425 No. 7

Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

375 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the position regarding the investigation of the appeals on the disadvantaged areas; if all appeals have been lodged in Brussels for approval; if not, when they will be submitted; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are many farmers in marginal land areas and mountainous areas who are on low incomes; and if he will make those areas a priority for immediate approval under the appeal.

Gerard Collins

Question:

393 Mr. Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will make a statement on the position with regard to efforts being made to extend the disadvantaged areas scheme; and when it is likely that submissions will be made to Brussels in this regard.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 393 together.

The Disadvantaged Areas Appeals Panel is currently analysing in detail the data from the survey of the 10,000 townlands under appeal for inclusion into the disadvantaged areas. When the panel has completed its analysis, it will make recommendations to the Department as to the new areas to be classified. When the Department have examined the panel's recommendations I will seek Government approval to submit to the EC a formal request to extend the present disadvantaged areas in Ireland. The EC Commission will in turn scrutinise the submission in detail and if satisfied prepare a proposal listing the townlands to be classified as disadvantaged for approval by the EC Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. When approved the list will be published by the Commission.

Because of the size and complexity of the task it is not easy to predict when it will be finalised. However, both my Department and the Appeals Panel are anxious to complete the entire appeals process as soon as possible.