Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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238. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the €25 million will be allocated to the ANC scheme in 2018 with regard to the current land types. [45339/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme is a very important source of financial support for farmers across the country, paying over €200 million each year to over 95,000 farmers. The Programme for a Partnership Government provides for a commitment of a €25 million increase in funding for the Scheme in 2018, and this commitment has now been confirmed as part of Budget 2018.

There are a number of options in relation to how this additional funding can be allocated under the ANC scheme. My Department is currently examining the options in this regard. The implementation of this increased allocation will require formal agreement with the EU Commission via an amendment of the Rural Development Programme, 2014 - 2020.

The 2017 ANC scheme payments commenced on 19th September and payments are continuing on a rolling basis as more farmers satisfy eligibility and stocking rate requirements. To date, some €184 million has been paid to over 85,000 applicants.