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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 4

Written Answers. - National Development Plan.

David Stanton

Question:

83 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the grants and supports especially under the national development plan, which are available to projects in the food sector including cereal seed assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12779/02]

The National Development Plan 2000-2006 contains indicative public funding of €358 million for a full range of support measures for the development of the food industry. The provisions have been designed specifically to enhance the industry's competitiveness and innovative capability while at the same time ensuring that development is underpinned by attention to food safety and consumer demands.

My Department and the development agencies are administering the initiatives. The funding is being utilised as follows: capital investment –€152 million; company research –€36 million; institutional research –€70 million; marketing and promotion –€61 million; and human resources development –€39 million.

Under the capital investment scheme for the marketing and processing of certain agricultural products administered by my Department, aid is provided to assist capital projects which are intended to improve marketing and processing in the horticulture, potato, eggs, grain and livestock sectors which do not fall within the remit of the industrial development agencies or are not covered by my Department's on-farm scheme. Aid is provided to the grain sector for projects which are geared towards improving the standards of grain storage at commercial intake points. Grants are prioritised towards the improvement, renovation, or replacement-relocation of existing commercial stores and for the provision of new intake equipment. Grant aid of 40% of approved eligible costs applies and aid is targeted at commercial grain stores.

Projects seeking grant aid must demonstrate financial viability and comply with the scheme provisions. Applications are required to undergo an assessment and selection process. The next call for proposals under the scheme is expected to take place in 2003.

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