Mary Coughlan
Question:23 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when application forms will be available from his Department for the farmers' installation grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27911/98]
Written Answers. - Installation Aid Scheme.
Michael Bell
Question:35 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, if any, his Department or Teagasc have taken to notify the farm installation aid applicants, who were awaiting approval on the date of the suspension of the original scheme, that the scheme is being reactivated; if he will ensure that they are allowed to participate fully in the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27856/98]
Emmet Stagg
Question:42 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applicants for the farm installation grant scheme awaiting approval when the scheme was suspended in August 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27855/98]
Emmet Stagg
Question:71 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself that he has adequate funding to fund the reintroduction of the farm installation aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27854/98]
Michael Bell
Question:77 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, if any, he will take to provide the necessary means to finance the installation aid scheme; if the number of applicants reaches the figure of 94 per month as was the case of the suspended scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27857/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 35, 42, 71 and 77 together.
The scheme of installation aid for young farmers introduced in 1994 under the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry was suspended on 7 August 1997, as all available funding was exhausted.
At the time of its suspension there were some 1.500 applications on hands in my Department. I understand that between 700-800 applications were being processed by Teagasc and private planners prior to the suspension of the scheme. The majority of the applications with Teagasc and private planners could not be finalised before the closing date due to technical deficiencies, including registration of title in Land Registry. Some 350 applications submitted to my Department after the scheme was suspended were returned to the applicants and they were informed at that time that it would be open to them to reapply under the revised scheme when it was finalised, subject to meeting the new conditions.
As regards the revised scheme, national funding of £10 million has been provided for this scheme over a three year period. This level of funding will allow for the acceptance of some 1,750 applications. In this connection I would point out that applications will be accepted from eligible farmers who set up in farming from 1 January 1995.
I expect that application forms, along with full details of the new scheme will be available in the local office of my Department within the next two weeks. The scheme will be widely publicised in the national and farming press.