Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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609. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of the areas of natural constraints scheme; if the cutbacks to the scheme that applied since 2008 and to the disadvantaged areas scheme which preceded it were reversed and the level of payments under the scheme returned to the 2007 level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19695/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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A number of technical adjustments to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme / Less Favoured Areas Scheme were implemented in recent years in response to budgetary pressures. These adjustments included reductions in the number of payable hectares and changes in relation to eligible livestock. The nature of these changes make it difficult to retrospectively determine the precise impact of reversing the relevant changes and the effect that this would have on budgetary out turns for the Scheme. However, the difference in the total payments made under the 2007 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme before the changes were introduced and the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme is approximately €50 million.