306 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when it is proposed to reclassify the remaining 27 per cent of County Monaghan under the severely handicapped area scheme. [9763/97]

The disadvantaged areas appeals panel examined all areas from which appeals for reclassification were received. In the case of Monaghan, the available data indicated that it would not be possible to recommend all of the existing less severely handicapped areas for reclassification, as many of these areas exceeded the limit of 60 per cent of national average income.

As a result of representations received, I have had the data relating to Monaghan re-examined, and a number of areas have been identified which were missed during the appeals panel's initial examination. I will be asking the EU Commission to review the position with a view to having some additional areas of Monaghan reclassified as more severely handicapped.