Vol. 552 No. 1
233 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if it is possible to get approval from the European Commission to include a new district electoral division on areas of farm land in the less favoured area scheme without the requirements of a full review of the scheme of the entire country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12059/02]
My Department has received a number of representations for an extension of the disadvantaged areas. The position is that, if consideration were to be given to further reclassification, it is unlikely that this could be confined to a part of the country to the exclusion of other areas. A more widespread survey could open up the possibility of current classification of disadvantaged areas being open to review.
