Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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485. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the €25 increase under the disadvantaged areas scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18374/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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A Programme for a Partnership Government sets out the commitment to increase the budget for the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme by €25m in Budget 2018. In parallel, the Rural Development Regulation requires all Member States to designate eligible areas under the ANC Scheme by reference to new biophysical criteria by 2018. The technical work underlying this process is currently underway, and the additional €25m will be integrated into the resultant scheme design process in 2018.