Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 1

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Alan M. Dukes

Question:

162 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of applications which have been received in his Department for the scheme of investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector under the national development plan since 1 January 2000; the total value of the projects covered by the applications; the grant element which would be in those projects; and the amount of funding which has been allocated by his Department to successful applicants. [18879/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The scheme of aid for investment in commercial horticulture under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 was launched on 13 February 2001 and a closing date of 4 May 2001 was fixed for the first round of applications. A total of 312 applications have been received by my Department, involving investments of £52 million. The level of grant aid is 35% of approved investments. Projected investments may be grant aided in whole or in part and the total funding available at present is £15.5 million for the duration of the scheme. Applications are currently being assessed and no grant aid has yet been approved. Given the number of applications involved the assessment process will take some time.

Question No. 163 answered with Question No. 73.