John Ellis
Question:236 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when his Department will be in a position to declare the new super severely handicapped areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6573/97]
Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.
John Ellis
Question:239 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the areas of County Leitrim that will be designated as super severely handicapped. [6576/97]
John Ellis
Question:240 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the areas of County Sligo that will be designated as super severely handicapped. [6577/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 236, 239 and 240 together.
A submission to establish a new category of Extremely Disadvantaged Areas in Ireland was transmitted to the EU Commission on 3 October 1996, and was formally presented to the Commission on 9 October 1996.
The Commission is carrying out a technical examination of the submission, involving discussions with my Department. Until this process has been completed, it is not possible to say for certain which areas will be approved for reclassification as extremely disadvantaged. It would not, therefore, be appropriate to comment on the inclusion or otherwise of specific areas in the submission prior to final approval being received from the Commission.
I expect that discussions with the Commission on extremely disadvantaged areas will commence in the near future. However, since the proposal envisages additional payment to farmers in the new areas, the implementation of the measures will not involve a separate application from farmers but rather a "top-up" on the normal application in respect of the relevant schemes.