Finian McGrath
Ceist:244 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will assist the farming sector in north Dublin and make all the resources of the State available to protect this valuable industry. [15452/02]
Written Answers. - Capital Investment Scheme.
The farming sector in north County Dublin is comprised mainly of horticulture, potato and grain production. My Department devotes significant national and community resources to assist these sectors.
Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, there are separate schemes of investment aid in the commercial horticulture, potato and grain sectors to which over €34 million has been allocated over that period. Some 359 projects have been approved under the first round of these schemes, which have now concluded, of which 53, involving aid of €3.2 million, are in north County Dublin. Also, under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 my Department operates a capital investment scheme for the marketing and processing of agricultural products, which includes horticultural, potato and grain among other agricultural products. A total of €25 million has been allocated over the duration of this scheme. Grant aid was awarded to 14 projects in these sectors in the first round of the scheme, of which five were in north County Dublin and involved grant aid of just over €1 million.
A scheme of aid for producer organisations under EU regulations is also in operation under which horticultural producers are encouraged to come together to form groups with the aim of concentrating supply and reducing costs of prod ucts while respecting environmental conditions. This helps producers meet the high demands of the market in terms of price, quality and supply. Two such groups, comprising 22 grower members, operate in north County Dublin and have received aid on the basis of approved programmes run by them.
I have taken a series of weather related initiatives in support of farmers, including those in north County Dublin. These include the following. I obtained a derogation from the EU Commission to allow set aside land to be used for animal feed purposes on farms where 33% or more of the land has been flooded. I arranged for Teagasc to provide an intensive advisory service, both general and one to one. In co-operation with my colleague, Deputy Coughlan, Minister for Social and Family Affairs, I arranged that the farm assist scheme take account of the situation faced by farmers. I obtained EU Commission approval to bring forward the payment of 50% of arable aid due to cereal farmers to 16 October. I obtained an increase in the rate of advance payments made on cattle premia from 60% to 80% with effect from 16 October.
I have also put great emphasis on improving market supports. Over the summer period I succeeded in strengthening market supports within the milk sector aimed at addressing the market weakness which prevailed at the time. Furthermore, I recently announced a substantial improvement in the beef export refund rate for Egypt, aimed at the specific requirements for that market.