Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Expenditure.

David Stanton

Question:

31 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the breakdown, by source, of the ?2.8 billion in public expenditure which will be used to support the agriculture sector in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3980/03]

David Stanton

Question:

46 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the breakdown, by destination, of the ?2.8 billion in public expenditure which will be used to support the agricultural sector in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3981/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 46 together.

Total public expenditure on agriculture and food is estimated to reach €2.8 billion in 2003. Based in part on the Abridged Estimates, the anticipated sources for this expenditure are as follows:

	€m
EU	1,900
Exchequer	842
Other appropriations	50

The precise level of expenditure will depend on several factors and, in particular, on developments in the various market sectors and the extent to which mechanisms such as intervention and export refunds are needed to support the market.

The main areas of expenditure in 2003 are expected to be as follows:

	€ million
Premiums/Arable Payments	1,100
Intervention/Other Market Supports	500
Other direct payments for farmers	542
Administration	230
Disease Eradication	229
State Bodies	118

The total 2003 funding provision represents a very high level of public expenditure and underlines the continuing commitment of the Government to the Irish agri-food sector.