Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 2

Written Answers. - Agriculture Schemes.

Austin Deasy

Question:

60 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Finance if his Department is withholding the necessary finance for the updating and implementation of the new schemes relating to the farm installation aid, farm retirement and the new farm environmental and pollution measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18195/00]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The Deputy will be aware that the schemes to which he refers are constituent elements of the national development plan under which the agriculture, food and rural development areas have been allocated substantial Exchequer and EU funding over the seven year period 2000-06. The funding relates essentially to measures for farmers and the food processing sector. The following table gives full details, including specific figures for the schemes mentioned by the Deputy.

As regards progress under the NDP, the position is that negotiations with the European Commission on the Community Support Framework for Ireland, necessary to draw down the EU element of the funds have recently been completed and the various operational programmes required have been finalised and submitted to the European Commission. As commission approval is required before funding can be drawn down, the allocations listed below can not be spent until such approval has been given. There is therefore no question of my Department withholding the necessary finance for the updating and implementation of the new schemes – the funding has been agreed, is in place, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development are in a position to spend it as soon as European Commission approval is received.

Provisional Allocations under National Development Plan 2000-2006 for agricultural, rural development and food

Measure	Total Public Allocation – CountrywideIRym (current prices)
Productive Sector Operational Programme
(a)Research and Development (Agriculture)		48.7
Teagasc	45.5
Research Stimulus Fund	3.2
(b)Food		276.1
Capital Investment	132.7
Research and Development	91.0
Marketing and Promotion	52.4
Employment and Human Resources Development Operational Programme
(a)Agriculture Development		72.5
Teagasc Training	71.0
International Equine Institute	1.5
(b)Food		33.8
Human Resources	33.8
Regional Operational Programme
Sub-Programme on Agriculture and Rural Development		465.8
Installation Aid for Young Farmers	29.8
Farm Waste Management	180.9
Improvement of Dairy Hygiene Standards	35.8
Improvement of Animal Welfare Standards	10.8
Animal Carcass Disposal	1.1
Development of Grain Storage Facilities	7.5
Improvement of Cattle Breeding Infrastructure	2.7
Improvement of Equine Breeding Infrastructure	5.4
Development of Horticulture Sector	15.2
Development of Potato Sector	4.3
Development of the Organic Sector	6.5
Improvement in Equine Quality On farm	2.2
Housing/Handling Facilities for Alternative Enterprises	13.0
Teagasc Advisory Services	54.2
Measure	Total Public Allocation – CountrywideIRym (current prices)
Farm Relief Services	3.2
Area-based Rural Development Initiative	59.6
Western Investment Fund	27.1
Rural Development Fund	6.5
Guarantee Funded CAP Rural Development Programme		3,147.5
Rural Environment Protection Scheme	1,625.3
Compensatory Allowances	910.0
Early Retirement	612.2
Total Allocation		4,044.4