Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Mar 1996

Vol. 462 No. 5

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Brian Cowen

Ceist:

218 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the level of grant payable for installation aid since the inception of the scheme; the number of farmers who have been paid a grant for each year since the scheme came into existence; the plans, if any, there are to increase the level of grant under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4829/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The number of farmers who have been paid the installation aid premium of £5,600 for each year since the scheme came into operation in 1986 is as follows:

Year	No. Paid
1986	Nil
1987	69
1988	465
1989	537
1990	496
1991	405
1992	386
1993	409
1994	403
1995	746

There are no plans to increase the level of premium, having regard in particular to the increased number of young farmers availing of the scheme and to other demands for funding under the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry 1994-1999.