When the disadvantaged areas appeals panel commenced its examination of areas for reclassification as more severely handicapped, the following guidelines were agreed with my Department and with the farming organisations: 1. the data gathered in the 1988 farm survey would form the basis of the selection process, with the income threshold raised from 40 per cent to 60 per cent of national average income; 2. the land quality rating established by professional officers for each townland would be used, with a rating of 4 or lower indicating potential more severely handicapped status; 3. areas not contiguous to the existing more severely handicapped boundary would be considered if at least 15,000 hectares could be shown to satisfy the criteria.
When the panel examined the areas in respect of which appeals had been received, they selected areas which satisfied the above criteria. These areas were submitted to the EU Commission and were accepted in full.
The townlands referred to in this question are part of the Castlecomer area of North Kilkenny which was considered as a non-contiguous group. The panel selected as many townlands as possible, up to the point that inclusion of any further townlands would cause the whole area to exceed the criteria. Nine of these townlands had a land quality rating over 4, and the tenth, Smithstown, was isolated from the main group. The ten townlands could not, therefore, be included in the submission and were not forwarded to the EU for inclusion in the more severely handicapped areas.
As a result of various representations about these townlands, I have had the data re-examined and I am satisfied that the decision to omit them was correct based on the information available to the appeals panel.
A report was received in my Department indicating that a recent study of the townlands in question set the land quality ratings at a reduced level which I would allow them to satisfy the criteria. However, since it was agreed by all parties that the 1988 data would be used in the selection of areas, it would be inappropriate to use data derived at a different time and possibly using different methodologies in support of one area, without giving other omitted areas the same consideration. This would amount to a new review of disadvantaged areas, and I am aware that the EU would not be receptive at this time to any such proposals.
There is a re-examination of another area ongoing at present. However, this is based solely on the 1988 data, and will only result in changes if it is determined that the appeals panel's interpretation of that data was incorrect.
