Vol. 465 No. 8
55 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the input, if any, he will have into the mid-term review of Structural Funds; his priorities for the continuation of the farm improvement schemes and headage payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10599/96]
It is a requirement under the 1994-99 Community Support Framework for Ireland to undertake a mid-term review of the Structural Funds. In the case of the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry, I expect that an independent evaluation will get under way in June and be completed by December. The evaluator will be asked to examine all measures under the Operational Programme with a view to seeing if the objectives set down are being achieved. He-she will also be asked to recommend changes, where appropriate.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Finance and the European Commission, will take this independent analysis into account when deciding any changes which need to be made to the programme for the remainder of the period covered by the Structural Funds.
I cannot say at this early stage what schemes will emerge as priorities as a result of the mid-term review but I see the capital investment schemes for the improvement of farms continuing to be of fundamental importance for the remaining years up to 1999. As regards the scheme for compensatory headage payments under the Structural Funds, the Deputy may be aware that we were obliged to carry out an independent evaluation of that scheme in 1995 as the Commission felt that the amount of funds going to this measure — 62 per cent — as against general investment for agriculture under the Operational Programme was too high. Following consultations with the farming bodies my Department is now drawing up proposals to address the various broad recommendations contained in the report and these will be available during the course of the mid-term review.
