Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:97 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the young farmer installation scheme will be reintroduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18437/98]
Written Answers. - Installation Aid Scheme.
The scheme of installation aid for young farmers introduced in 1994 under the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry was suspended on 7 August 1997 when the available funding was exhausted. Recognising the importance attached to this measure by young farmers embarking on their careers, I secured the agreement of the Minister for Finance to the reintroduction of a more tightly focused revised scheme targeted towards those smaller farmers most in need of assistance.
Following discussions with the farming organisations on the nature of the new scheme, my Department submitted the terms of a revised installation aid scheme to the Department of Finance and to the European Commission for approval in late July.
In mid-September the Commission raised questions about the proposal which provided for accommodating young farmers who failed to make application under the earlier scheme before its suspension subject, of course, to their meeting the relevant eligibility criteria. The Commission also sought clarification that the equivalent skills and competence qualifications of other member states would be recognised in determining eligibility under the proposed scheme. My Department has responded quickly on these issues to the Commission and again stressed my desire to secure the earliest agreement for the new measure.