Billy Timmins
Question:85 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures he has taken since January 2003 to assist the grain sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9401/04]
View answerWednesday, 24 March 2004
Questions (85)
Written answers
The scheme of investment aid for the development of on-farm grain storage was funded under the National Development Plan 2000-06. The objective of this scheme was to improve the quality and safety of grain and to relieve pressure on commercial intake points at harvest time, by developing on-farm storage facilities. Since the scheme commenced in 2001 a total of €2.422 million has been paid to 62 applicants. Since January 2003 a total of €570,000 was paid to 12 applicants by way of capital grants for the provision of on-farm grain storage. Due to budgetary constraints there is no funding provided for the scheme in 2004.
Under the Department's capital investment scheme for marketing and processing of agricultural products — on-farm not included — the possibility of inviting new applications across a number of sectors, including the grain sector, in 2004 is under consideration.