Austin Deasy
Question:24 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the estimated income from agri-tourism at present and the additional income it is projected will arise as a result of the new scheme announced by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agri-tourism.
Austin Deasy
Question:61 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the response to date to the programme on alternative farming activities; and the percentage of national farm income which it is anticipated these projects will constitute within the next five years.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 61 together.
I am advised that the estimated income from agri-tourism at present is around £39 million per annum. The response to date to the agri-tourism measure and to the other measures relating to farm diversification under the operational programme for rural development is set out in a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the official report:
Following is the statement:
|
Title of Measure |
Approximate number of applications approved or being considered to date |
|
Agri-Tourism |
80 |
|
Animal Production |
|
|
deer |
80 |
|
horses |
180 |
|
greyhounds |
160 |
|
goats and rabbits |
10 |
|
Stallion Purchase Premium Scheme |
37 |
|
Foal Grant Scheme |
Will not be implemented until 1991 foal crop is registered in mid-June |
|
Horticulture |
500 |
|
Forestry |
|
|
Forest Nursery Scheme |
4 |
|
Planned Recreational Forestry Scheme |
Scheme to be launched in June |
The second part of the question asks for a projected income figure. Has the Minister any such figure?
It is not possible to indicate at this stage the likely contribution of these measures, for which £24 million of national and EC funding is available, to farm income as this clearly depends on the level of uptake and the level of investment eventually undertaken. In addition, of course, applicants may be rural dwellers who are not farmers.