Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
1104. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) with regard to the funding of ANC payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14259/17]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government sets out the commitment to increase the budget for the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme by €25m in Budget 2018. In parallel, the Rural Development Regulation requires all Member States to designate eligible areas under the ANC Scheme by reference to new biophysical criteria by 2018. The technical work underlying this process is currently underway, and the new scheme which emerges from this process will incorporate the commitment to the additional €25m in funding.
