Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 April 2005
387 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of young farmers who have applied for installation aid in each of the past seven years; the number who have been awarded same in each of those years; if any effort is being made to minimise the red tape involved in obtaining installation aid grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12207/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of applications received and the number of recipients of aid under the installation aid scheme in each of the last seven years is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
Total |
|
Applications (Current Scheme only) |
— |
— |
— |
754 |
932 |
797 |
691 |
3,174 |
|
Recipients |
628 |
567 |
467 |
357 |
579 |
987 |
808 |
4,393 |
Details of the number of applications received in the years in question, under the schemes which preceded the current installation aid scheme, will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
On 7 May 2002, the current scheme was revised by the removal of the 150 income unit ceiling that previously applied to applicants under the scheme. That opened up the scheme to a wider pool of potential applicants and simplified the process of applying for grant aid under the scheme. I am always willing to simplify the operation of schemes, where possible, having regard to the conditions of the schemes and the requirements of accountability. Any specific suggestions of the Deputy in this regard will be examined.
