Earlier this year, Ireland secured £6 million from the proceeds of the final year of the EC milk co-responsibility levy to assist dairy farmers in their preparations to meet the standards set by the EC Dairy Hygiene Directive. The major part of this money will be directed towards farmers who need to invest in on-farm cooling equipment, or in milking machine parts. Individual grants will be up to £1,750 in the case of the former and up to £500 in the latter subject to a maximum of 50 per cent of actual cost in both cases. Implementation of the scheme will be carried out by the ICOS under contract to my Department.