Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Nov 2003

Vol. 575 No. 1

Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.

Phil Hogan

Question:

100 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress that is being made in respect of an application for disadvantaged status under the less favoured directive in respect of a submission made by farmers in north Kilkenny in early 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28011/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The position is that an independent evaluation of all CAP rural development plan measures including the disadvantaged areas compensatory allowance scheme has recently been completed. My Department will be formally submitting the evaluation report to the European Commission following the meeting of the CAP rural development plan monitoring committee which takes place today. In the context of the Commission's consideration of this report I expect to have an opportunity to raise the issue of extension of disadvantaged areas status to certain areas including some in north Kilkenny.

My Department has already informally raised the question of extension of disadvantaged areas status region with the services of the European Commission. In these meetings the Commission officials have indicated that any formal request for further classification could lead to a demand for justification of Ireland's current designation and classification for all areas. The Commission's approach has its basis in negative comments by the Court of Auditors concerning the monitoring of disadvantaged areas classification and designation in the EU in general. Given this background, it is important that the timing and nature of any submission requesting extension of the disadvantaged areas be given very careful consideration.