Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 6

Written Answers. - Installation Aid Scheme.

Alan M. Dukes

Question:

205 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of applications made for participation in the scheme of installation aid for young farmers in each year since the scheme was introduced; the number which have been granted; the number refused because they failed to meet the required labour unit criteria; and if there is any proposal to modify these criteria.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

The position regarding the scheme of installation aid is set out as follow:

Year	Number of Applications Received	Number of premia paid	Number refused because of labour unit criteria
1986	476	Nil	10
1987	624	69	41
1988	842	465	32
1989	515	537	16
1990	404	496	25
1991	390	405	19
1992	449	386	3
1993	N/A	128	N/A

The scheme was revised in January 1992 and under the new rules a young farmer is being allowed up to two years to meet the minimum labour unit requirement of 1 Man Work Unit — previously this criteria had to be met at the time of installation. This revision applies to all applications from 1 January 1990.

My Department is at present examining the various elements of the installation aid scheme with a view to ensuring a more effective availability of the measure.