Written Answers. - Operational Programmes.
Ulick Burke
Question:
138
Mr. U. Burke
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
the total grants which will be paid in 2000 under the Objective One status of the BMW counties; the nature of these grant assistance; the projects benefiting from such status; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14347/00]
Under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, Ireland is designated into two regions for Structural Funds purposes – Objective 1 (Border, Midland and Western Region) and Objective 1 in transition (Southern and Eastern Region). To draw down the EU funds allocated to Ireland, a community support framework has to be agreed with the Commission and approval of this is expected before end May. In addition, Operational Programmes – OPs – for each area of activity have to be drawn up and these were submitted to the Commission by end April and the negotiation process with the Commission is expected to take some months.
Most of the agricultural measures to be funded in the Border, Midland and Western Region (BMW) will operate under the Regional Operational Programme which will be managed by the BMW Regional Assembly. Following is a table showing the agricultural measures and the funding involved under this OP for the full seven year period, 2000-2006. It is not possible, however, to give details at this stage – prior to approval of the OP – as regards actual expenditure in 2000 but adequate funding for this purpose has been provided in the Department's Vote for this year.
In addition, the BMW region will benefit from investment in research and training in the agricultural sector under the Inter-Regional Operational Programmes. Substantial funding will also be available under the CAP rural development plan, which is outside the Structural Funds and which covers the rural environment protection scheme, compensatory allowances and the early retirement scheme. This latter plan will operate on a countrywide basis.
The BMW region will also benefit from the food-related provisions of the national development plan that cover capital investment, research and development, marketing and promotion, and human resources. It is estimated that the region will receive public funding of £116 million under those provisions over the period 2000-06.
Funding under the Border, Midland and Western Regional Operational Programme.
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Total Public Allocations 2000-2006(Current Prices)
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Border, Midland & Western Region£m2000-2006
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Sub-Programme on Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentMeasure 1: General Structural Improvement
144.5
Installation Aid for Young Farmers
11.9
Farm Waste Management
107.8
Improvement of Dairy Hygiene Standards
17.9
Improvement of Animal Welfare Standards (Pigs Only)
4.9
Animal Carcase Disposal
0.5
Development of Grain Storage Facilities on Farm
1.5
Measure 2: Alternative Enterprises
18.4
Development of the Horticulture Sector
4.9
Development of the Potato Sector
1.6
Development of the Organic Sector
3.2
Improvement in Equine Quality on Farm
1.1
Housing/Handling Facilities for Alternative Enterprises
7.6
Measure 3: General Rural Development
58.5
Area-based Rural Development Initiative
32.5
Western Investment Fund
22.8
Rural Development Fund
3.2
Measure 4: Services for Agricultural Development
31.4
Teagasc Advisory Services
29.8
Farm Relief Services
1.6
Total Agriculture & Rural Development (BMW Regional OP)
252.8
