Vol. 463 No. 6
265 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the current position regarding the funding which was to be made available under the operational programme for agriculture, rural development and forestry with a view towards the development of farrier training in Ireland. [7167/96]
Under the operational programme for agriculture, rural development and forestry it is proposed to make available funding up to a maximum of £250,000 over the period of the programme (a) to organisations which become involved in the provision of formal farriery training in Ireland e.g. the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, the Irish Master Farriers' Association, the Irish National Stud, Teagasc or private training centres; or failing the establishment of a formal farriery training programme (b) to individuals in the process of acquiring farriery qualifications through an approved training course. At present three organisations have indicated an interest in obtaining funding under sub-paragraph (a) above.
If the development of a formal farriery training programme, independently certified and commanding the support of the industry, cannot be advanced within a reasonable period I intend to provide for direct grants to individuals in the process of acquiring farriery qualifications through an approved farriery course under sub-paragraph (b) above.
