Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2005
348 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, further to an application for installation aid, the reason for the requirement that the person achieve 20 income units from farming within 12 months whereas there is a 30-month period to achieve the general minimum requirement of 50 income units; if the 30-month period will be allowed to cover both requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17857/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe installation aid scheme provides a grant of €9,523 to farmers under the age of 35 who have been set up in farming for the first time and who meet certain education and income criteria. By virtue of the provisions of Article 8 of Council Regulation 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the EAGGF, grant aid may only be paid under the scheme in respect of, inter alia, farm holdings whose economic viability can be demonstrated. The farm income criteria set out in the scheme implement that provision as far as Ireland is concerned. I have no plans to seek EU approval to alter these requirements.
