Vol. 479 No. 2
336 Mr. Gallagher (Donegal South-West) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when an application to have areas included as extremely disadvantaged was submitted to the European Commission; the areas involved; the advantages of such classification; the progress, if any, to date in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12722/97]
364 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when he will announce the areas included in the third tier of disadvantage. [12830/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 364 together.
A submission to establish a new category of extremely disadvantaged areas in Ireland was formally presented to the EU Commission on 9 October 1996.
The Commission is carrying out a technical examination of the submission, and I expect that discussions between the Commission services and my Department on the proposals will commence in the near future. Until this process has been completed, it is not possible to say for certain which areas will be approved for reclassification as extremely disadvantaged. I can say, however, that the areas proposed are generally in the western mountaineous and peatland areas, including islands.
It is intended to pay a higher rate of headage grant on certain animals to farmers in the new areas. I will announce details of the new rates and the areas in which they will apply when the Commission gives its approval for the new classification.
