Grant Payments.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2004

Tuesday, 27 January 2004

Questions (171, 172)

Seymour Crawford

Question:

286 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of money farmers received as payment by his Department in each of the past ten years for the control of farmyard pollution, dairy hygiene grants and other farm building grants; if he has satisfied himself that sufficient funds will be available over the next number of years to support farmers in the provision of the extra slurry accommodation to meet this Government's proposed action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2076/04]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The details requested by the Deputy are as follows:

Year	Farm Pollution	Dairy Hygiene	Other
	(€m)	(€m)	(€m)
1995	28.790	1.919	31.537
1996	47.109	9.387	24.030
1997	59.708	14.422	16.289
1998	23.729	10.046	10.088
1999	12.949	5.857	7.251
2000	6.289	5.779	8.008
2001	14.073	0.328	0.058
2002	14.895	2.448	0.512
2003	22.266	2.499	0.815
2004 (to date)	1.459	0.129	0.056
Total	231.267	52.814	98.644

As part of the Sustaining Progress agreement, the farm waste management scheme was revised with effect from 1 January 2004 by increasing the income units, IUs, for eligibility under the scheme from 200 IUs to 450 IUs; increasing the investment ceiling from €50,790 to €75,000; and introducing a standard grant rate of 40% for most investments. I am satisfied that the significant increase in the financial allocation for 2004 will be sufficient to meet the likely increased uptake by farmers in 2004 under the scheme which may arise as a result of these changes.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

287 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the REP scheme payment will be increased this year; the amount it will be increased by; the people who will qualify for it; from when it will be operative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2085/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Changes to payment rates and other aspects of the rural environment protection scheme will require an amendment to the CAP rural development plan and I have submitted the necessary proposals to the European Commission. These proposals provide for increased payment rates, in line with the Government commitment in Sustaining Progress, as follows: Up to 20ha: €200/ha; 20ha — 40ha: €175/ha; 40ha — 55ha: €70/ha.

Participation in REPS requires farmers to farm to a standard that goes beyond normal good farming practice. The scheme is open to all farmers who are prepared to assume such undertakings.

Discussions on the proposals have already taken place between the Commission and officials of my Department. While the formal procedures of the Commission will to some extent determine how long it takes to secure approval for the changes, I will do everything possible to expedite matters and I will introduce the new scheme without delay once I have secured the Commission's approval.

Question No. 288 answered with QuestionNo. 269.