Vol. 525 No. 2
767 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when framework documents for commonage will be in place in the western region; the position in this regard; and if she will list the areas for County Mayo which have been finalised. [24618/00]
The preparation of commonage framework plans is a joint operation of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and my Department. Completed framework plans will be available for incorporation into REPS plans by the end of the year.
The current position in the six designated degraded counties – Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo – is as follows: Area of commonage: 350,000 ha; Area of plans approved: 228,810 ha; Plans under examination by my officials: 70,062 ha; Plans returned for correction: 11,827 ha; Plans under preparation: 40,301 ha.
In County Mayo, 17 blocks of commonage, covering 65,483 ha. have been approved by my Department, five blocks covering 35,035 ha. are under consideration by my Department, and one block covering 6,086 ha. is being worked on at present. I will arrange for a list of the townlands in each category to be transmitted directly to the Deputy.
