asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his Department have received a submission from a local farmers' group (details supplied) in County Wexford in support of their application for an extension of disadvantaged area status; when the area will be inspected in the overall review currently taking place by his Department in this context; and whether discussions will take place between his officials and this farmer's group in consideration of their application.
Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.
62.
My Department have received a submission in support of this application.
These lands will be examined in the course of the nationwide survey of areas which commenced at the end of January and they will be included in the general submission to the EC subsequently for approval if they are found to meet the criteria for inclusion as disadvantaged areas.
63.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, in relation to the application of the Cloncarney area of County Westmeath for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme, when the survey of that area will be completed.
64.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, in relation to the application of the Moyvore area of County Westmeath for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme, when the survey of that area will be completed.
65.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, in relation to the application of the Rosemeade/ Ballinlough areas of County Westmeath for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme, when the survey of that area will be completed.
66.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, in relation to the application of the Milltown/Rathconrath area of County Westmeath for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme, when the survey of that area will be completed.
67.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, in relation to the application of the Multifarnham area of County Westmeath for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme, when the survey of that area will be completed.
68.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, in relation to the application of the Killula area of County Westmeath for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme, when the survey of that area will be completed.
69.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, in relation to the application of the Slieveboy/ Castlepollard areas of County Westmeath for inclusion in the disadvantaged areas scheme, when the survey of that area will be completed.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 to 69, inclusive, together.
The nationwide survey of areas submitted for reclassification or designation as disadvantaged commenced at the end of January and it is hoped to have it completed and the areas deemed suitable for classification or reclassification submitted to the EC Commission by the end of this year. While every effort will be made to secure early approval, it is not possible to indicate precisely when a Commission decision will be taken and the necessary procedures completed by the EC.