Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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208. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in each of the past five years and to date in 2017 that used donkeys as part of their stock in order to qualify for the disadvantaged area scheme or the scheme of natural constraints; the number of donkeys involved each year; his plans to change the eligibility rules for donkeys under this scheme for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22497/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, 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 requirement to maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectares, calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year has been maintained.  Donkeys continue to be considered for inclusion in the stocking density as per the Terms and Conditions of the scheme.

Data as requested by the deputy for previous years is below, data in respect of 2017 scheme year will not be available until year end.