Olwyn Enright
Question:26 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to change the qualification criteria for installation aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9067/03]
Written Answers - Installation Aid Scheme.
The current installation aid scheme was established under the auspices of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 and applies to farmers who are set up in farming for the first time on or after 1 January 2000. On 7 May last, I altered the qualification criteria provided for in the scheme by removing the upper income ceiling of 150 income units, IUs, applicable to applicants under the scheme. The removal of this ceiling not only ensured that the maximum number of young farmers could benefit from this important scheme, but also had the effect of greatly simplifying the application procedure involved.
I am pleased to be able to report that there has been a significant increase in the number of applications received under the scheme as a result of the changes referred to above. I have no plans at present to make any further changes to the scheme.