Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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701. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his palns to amend the 2014 to 2020 rural development programme in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11564/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Article 32 of EU Regulation 1305/2013 requires all member states to implement a new system for designating eligible areas under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme and in line with this an amendment to the RDP will be submitted in 2017.

In order to include a Financial Instrument as a measure in the RDP an Ex-Ante Assessment is compulsory under EU regulation.   This assessment in underway and a final report is expected shortly. Once received, it will be considered in detail by my Department and if an investment strategy is agreed upon, a new measure description will be inserted into the RDP by way of an amendment.

Finally, the standard annual amendment will be used to change minor details currently contained in the RDP. These will be identified and developed as the year progresses.