Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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1200. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the €25 million fund for ANC will be distributed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1139/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Budget 2018 included an additional allocation of €25 million for the scheme in 2018. This is in keeping with provisions of the Programme for a Partnership Government. There are a number of options in relation to how any additional funding could be allocated under the ANC scheme. These options range from allocating the funds as a flat increase across the current payable rates, to various forms of targeting higher payment rates for particular categories of farmers.  The options in this regard are currently being examined.  Any changes to the Scheme on foot of this will require agreement with the EU Commission via a formal amendment of Ireland's Rural Development Programme, 2014 - 2020.