Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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13. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will seek an increase in the budget allocation for areas of natural constraint in order to reverse the cuts from previous budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34204/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme forms part of the 2014 to 2020 Rural Development Programme, and has replaced the previous Disadvantaged Areas and Less Favoured Areas Schemes. Eligibility requirements under the new ANC scheme have remained largely the same as under the previous schemes, with some minor adjustments. The ANC Scheme has an annual budget of €195 million, and is a central element of the new Rural Development Programme. The rates of aid payable to farmers whose holding are situated in designated areas are in line with the difficulties that they face in farming in the areas in question. In relation to the changes I have made to the requirements of the Scheme in recent years, my priority has been to ensure that this aid is paid to those who are actively pursuing a farming activity, and who are contributing to the economic life of the rural areas where they farm.

I also availed of the negotiations of the new Rural Development Programme to introduce a new Island Farming payment as part of the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme. This is an important development and is in recognition of the specific challenges that these farmers face on a day by day basis carrying out their normal farming activities.

Payments under the ANC scheme, including the island farmer element, have already commenced.

Under the terms of the new Common Agricultural Policy, member states are required to undertake a review of the designation of areas eligible for the ANC scheme by 2018. This new designation will be based on bio-physical criteria such as terrain, and soil conditions.

Work on the data required to underlie this new designation is currently underway, and the budget allocation for the ANC scheme will also be considered as part of this process.