Vol. 524 No. 2
219 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the estimated number of farmers in County Donegal who will suffer loss of income due to the fact that headage will be paid in future on a hectare rather than a per head basis. [22266/00]
It is estimated that a total of 8,621 farmers will participate in the new area based compensatory allowances scheme in County Donegal with effect from 2001. Of these 5,297 will gain under the new arrangements with an average gain per farmer of £678. When account is taken of the compensation package under which 90 per cent of losses will be made good in 2001 and 80 per cent in 2002, the loss which will be suffered by the remaining 3,324 farmers is estimated to be, on average, £35 in 2001 and £70 in 2002. I intend to review the scheme with a view to finding an equitable long-term solution to the problem of losses.
