Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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739. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process for a landowner and dry stock farmer to apply for a disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30779/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Applications for the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (formerly the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme) are made annually via the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application process.  For each year that a farmer wishes to apply they must tick the appropriate box on the online BPS application system.  The application process for 2018 opened in early February with a closing date of 15 May.  Applications are made via my Department's online application system at www.agfood.ie. 

In order to apply for the ANC scheme the applicant must meet a number of eligibility criteria, such as holding a valid herd number and farming at least 3 ha of eligible disadvantaged lands.