Vol. 418 No. 7
49 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will make a statement on the current status of the farm installation scheme such as the number of applications, the number accepted and the number rejected; and if he will outline the outcome of any discussions with the European Commission to effect changes in this scheme, making it more amenable to Irish conditions.
To date 3,251 applications have been received under the scheme of installation aid for young farmers. Premia totalling £11.5 million have been paid to the 2,044 applicants found eligible. Applications are still being processed in 545 cases. The number rejected was 529.
Following negotiations with the EC the conditions for eligibility have been relaxed. A young farmer on setting up in full time farming for the first time can now have two years in which to satisfy the labour requirement. In addition leased land can be taken into account in calculating the labour input. The revised conditions should extend the benefits of the scheme to a bigger number of applicants.
