Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 8

Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas.

Séamus Hughes

Question:

206 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason the case for a new category of extremely disadvantaged areas cannot be pursued in tandem with the present case for extension and reclassification with the EU; and, in the event of extension and reclassification being allowed, his understanding of lateral resource movement and the way in which this would affect the rate of payment at present enjoyed by farmers in severely handicapped areas. [6029/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The submissions on extension and reclassification of disadvantaged areas have been with the EU Commission since November 1993 and October 1994, respectively. At a recent meeting which I had with Commissioner Fischler, he confirmed that the Commission would make a decision on the submission during 1995, hopefully by mid-year.

A decision on extension and reclassification will provide a clearer basis against which decisions on a third category can be taken. Consideration will also have to be given to the resources available for headage payments under the Structural Funds as well as the conclusions from the evaluation of the headage schemes which is currently under way, and which is due to be completed by end June.

Given that all of the above factors could influence a decision on a third category, it is not possible at this stage to say what the resource implications of such a decision would be.