Vol. 552 No. 1
207 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress to date regarding his request to the EU for approval to remove the upper income ceiling currently applied to the installation aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11802/02]
I am pleased to say that I have secured the approval of the European Commission to remove the upper income ceiling of 150 income units for applicants to the installation aid scheme. The removal of this ceiling will not only ensure that the maximum number of young farmers benefit from this important scheme, but will also simplify the application procedure as the requirement for much of the supporting documentation by way of tax assessments and statements of income will now be removed for many farmers. The matter has now to go before the regional assemblies for their approval.
