Austin Deasy
Question:153 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of grants and incentives available for agri-tourism and alternative methods of farming.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
Under the scheme of grant aid for investments in agri-tourism which applies at present in the disadvantaged areas, grant aid of 50 per cent is available for establishing or improving leisure facilities for tourists and for the development of marketing facilities. Grant aid of 20 per cent is available for upgrading or expanding visitor accommodation in association with leisure facilities where the cost of the accommodation does not exceed 25 per cent of the entire project.
I am currently preparing a national agri-tourism scheme and schemes of aid for alternative farm enterprises which will be introduced, subject to EC Commission approval, under the operational programme for rural development. The Deputy will also be aware of the decisions which were announced in the 1990 budget to facilitate organic production and to introduce a scheme of aid to encourage environmentally friendly farming. A scheme of aid for extensification of production is also being prepared. Details of these schemes, including grant rates, have not yet been finalised.
Madeleine Taylor-Quinn
Question:154 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if payment of a headage grant will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
Payments to this applicant under the 1989 cattle and equines headage, calf and suckler cow premium schemes have already been made.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:155 Mrs. Taylor Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if payment of a headage grant will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
Payments to this applicant under the 1989 cattle and equines headage, calf and special beef premium schemes have already been made.