asked the Minister for Agriculture the average length of time between the submission of an application for grant-aid under the farm modernisation scheme to a local ACOT office and the final payment of the grant.
Written Answers. - Grant Aid Applications.
511.
The farm modernisation scheme is operated jointly by ACOT and the farm development service. Matters relating to applications for participation in the scheme, classification, drawing up farm plans etc. are the responsibility of the local ACOT office. When the ACOT process is completed, the approval of specific on-farm projects for grant purposes, and the administration of grant payments are handled by the farm development service.
If no unusual circumstances arise, the average length of time from the submission of an application to ACOT until authority is given by the FDS to proceed with the proposed work is about six months. The execution of the work is the sole responsibility of the applicant. The time taken for completion can vary substantially. The time between the satisfactory completion of the work and payment of the grant is about six weeks.