Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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650. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he has not provided funding to persons classed as forgotten farmers; if he will provide a copy of correspondence from the European Union not allowing Ireland the special category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17532/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Regulations governing the operation of the National Reserve include an optional provision whereby Member States may use the National Reserve to allocate new entitlements or give a top-up on the value of existing entitlements for persons who suffer from a ‘Specific Disadvantage’.

Officials from my Department have consulted with the EU Commission with regard to funding of ‘specific disadvantage’ categories such as ‘Forgotten Farmer’ under the National Reserve in 2017 and future years. In 2017 the National Reserve is being funded from a linear cut to all entitlements held under the Basic Payment Scheme. The EU Commission has confirmed that Member States cannot use the proceeds of a linear cut to fund the specific disadvantage category of the National Reserve.

The only funding option for the Forgotten Farmer category is natural replenishment of the Reserve such as unused entitlements or the proceeds of claw back, but only after the two priority categories of young farmer and new entrant have been catered for.

A copy of the correspondence referred to will be made available directly to the Deputy.