Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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1678.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the documented Gortandarragh limestone pavement special area of conservation (SAC) commonage is being assessed differently to other documented limestone pavement SACs in the Burren and on the Aran Islands; the reason it was accepted as eligible land under the basic income support for sustainability scheme previously, but is now being deemed ineligible despite being an ACRES cooperation zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32600/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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It is acknowledged in the Guide to Land Eligibility published by the Direct Payments Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine that the karst limestone landscape in the Burren and Aran regions requires specific criteria to cater for the very unique landscape that exists in these regions.

At present where a parcel outside of the Burren and Aran regions has more than 70% rock it is deemed ineligible for payment. In the Burren and Aran regions the rules allow for any eligible area to be paid on even where the parcel is more than 70% rock, so for example a 10 hectare parcel with 8 hectares of rock has an eligible area of 2 hectares.

Based on an initial analysis of documentation linked to the Gortandarragh limestone pavement special area of conservation (SAC) my officials are of a view that while the area is outside the Burren and Aran it has many similar features and hence should get the same benefit as these areas.

Officials from my department will be in direct contact with the applicant once a final review as been completed.