Vol. 558 No. 1
192 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to extend the alternative enterprise scheme to include grant aid for covered all-weather training areas in view of the limitations imposed by inclement weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23810/02]
The alternative enterprise scheme makes grant aid available to farmers for investment in housing-handling facilities for horses. Horse exercise areas are among the investment items eligible for grant aid. However, the cost of roofing of such exercise areas would normally be well in excess of the maximum amount of investment eligible for grant aid under the scheme of €31,743. I have no plans at present to revise the types of investment items eligible for grant aid under the scheme.
