Departmental Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2012

Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Ceisteanna (479, 480)

Michael Creed

Ceist:

526 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications for both installation aid and the early retirement scheme which were received by his offices in Johnstown Castle, Wexford, on 14 October 2008; the number of these applications that were incomplete and required further documentation or information; the number of these applications in respect of both schemes that were subsequently approved for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4925/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney)

The information requested in relation to applications received under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and the Early Retirement Scheme on 14 October 2008 in my Department's office in Johnstown Castle, Wexford is set out in the following table:

Scheme	Number of Applications Received	Whether Further Documentation Required	Number Approved for Payment
Young Farmers’ Installation Scheme	59	Yes, in all cases	53
Early Retirement Scheme	25	23	23

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

527 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce an agri-environment options scheme 3 at the earliest possible date to enable farmers who are finished with the REP scheme to have a scheme available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4958/12]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney)

Despite the financial pressures facing my Department I have made provision in 2012 for €243 million under agri-environment schemes. I am also considering the possibility of re-opening AEOS on an amended basis or limited scale in 2012. This decision will be taken in the context of my Department's expenditure ceiling for 2013 as agreed by the Government, and in particular, on how a new scheme might be funded within the reduced funding and resulting pressures on the Vote. I will make an announcement on this matter in due course.