Vol. 499 No. 4
103 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on whether the allocation of £10 million towards the scheme of installation aid for young farmers is sufficient to cope with the backlog of potential applicants that has built up over recent years while the scheme has been suspended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2897/99]
The level of funding provided for the national scheme of installation aid which will allow for the acceptance of some 1,750 applications is considered adequate.
104 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if applications for installation aid for young farmers will be approved on a first come first served basis; if so, the assurances, if any, he can give to the applicants who lose out due to the fact they were not among the first 1,700 applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2898/99]
Valid applications received in my Department under the national scheme of installation aid will be processed in order of receipt. Having regard to the likely number of applicants, the level of funding provided is considered adequate.
In addition, the continuation of the scheme is being considered in the context of the National Development Plan which is presently being drawn up in preparation for the next round of Structural Funds for the period 2000-06.
105 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applicants approved for installation aid for young farmers for each of the years from 1986 to 1996; and the number of applications still on file awaiting approval since funds ran out. [2899/99]
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
|
Year |
Number Approved |
|
1986 |
0 |
|
1987 |
69 |
|
1988 |
462 |
|
1989 |
537 |
|
1990 |
496 |
|
1991 |
405 |
|
1992 |
386 |
|
1993 |
409 |
|
1994 |
403 |
|
1995 |
746 |
|
1996 |
1167 |
|
Total |
5,080 |
