Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Dillon for his comprehensive report. I wish to focus on the categorisation of land within the scheme. Most of the farmers in the west and north-west would be working mountain-type land or land that is considered disadvantaged or more severely handicapped. The areas where land is of less severely handicapped are in the midlands and the south. Will the categorisation of land under the new scheme be along the same lines as previously? Does Mr. Dillon expect there to be much change?

Will the rates of payment be similar or, as suggested in the presentation, will it be the case that areas affected by the highest levels of constraint or disadvantage will be prioritised? Is it moving in that direction? In the context of the impact of climate change, we are very conscious that working low-intensity grazing or upland-type land where farmers find it very hard to survive represents a solid, public good. ANC payments are vital to keep these individuals involved in this type of farming.

It would be useful to get a list of the townlands that have been excluded or included and to obtain a sense of where they are located. Additional money has been allocated in respect of the scheme. We will probably have to ask the Minister about it. Last year, an additional €23 million was put into the budget. In the context of a new emphasis on areas of natural constraint, is it expected that more funds would go into the pot to ensure that the scheme continues to deliver the public good it was originally designed to deliver?