Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

356 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of farmers who have been admitted and sanctioned for the farmyard pollution and dairy hygiene grants; his views on whether these schemes are necessary for young farmers to stay in business and to allow them enter the REP scheme; if he will compensate them for losses incurred due to delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22529/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

Some 2,500 applications have been received in respect of the schemes of investment aid for farm waste management and for the improvement of dairy hygiene standards in the local farm development services offices of my Department. Just over 50% of these applications have now been examined and of these approximately 560 have been approved.

I attach great importance to the availability of these schemes to young farmers and in this context young trained farmers who have first commenced farming within five years of making an application on either of these schemes will qualify for additional aid at the rate of 15% in the less favoured areas and 5% in the rest of the country. As regards participation by young farmers in the REP scheme, this is voluntary; the REP scheme is open to all farmers who comply with its terms and conditions.

The processing of applications under both the on-farm investment schemes and the REP scheme has suffered serious delays arising out of the foot and mouth crisis. A large proportion of technical agricultural officers who are the people who carry out the necessary checks under these schemes – remain assigned to foot and mouth duties and while the threat of this disease remains we cannot afford to relax our vigilance. Every effort is being made to process the backlog of applications on hand with the resources available but there are no plans to compensate applicants for delays.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

357 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of people who are owed money under the existing farmyard pollution and dairy hygiene grants; when these grants will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22530/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

Some 618 payments under the national scheme for the control of farm pollution have been approved and processed for payment but unfortunately payments have been delayed as the EU-imposed ceiling for expenditure under this scheme has been reached. My Department has applied to the EU to formally raise the ceiling. All payments will issue immediately approval is received. Following recent discussions between my Department and the European Commission a positive response is expected very shortly.

There is no delay in issuing payments under the national scheme for the improvement of dairy hygiene standards as the expenditure ceiling has not been reached. Both schemes closed to new applicants on 31 January 2001 with the introduction of the schemes of investment aid for farm waste management and for the improvement of dairy hygiene standards.