Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The farm improvement scheme was launched by my Department in July with funding of €79 million as agreed under the partnership agreement, Towards 2016. I announced the suspension of the scheme on 31 October, as applications received thereunder had reached this level of funding. I had made it clear at the time of the introduction of the scheme that it would be closed when the financial ceiling had been reached. This was also explicitly provided for in the terms and conditions of the scheme. The applications received under the scheme up to 31 October will be processed by my Department up to the level of funding available. I have no plans to reopen the scheme to further applications prior to the review in 2008 of Towards 2016 as provided for in that agreement.

The revised farm waste management scheme which was introduced by my Department in March 2006, rather than the farm improvement scheme, was the principal measure designed to assist farmers to meet their obligations under the nitrates directive. A standard grant rate of 60%, 70% in the four zone C counties, is available to farmers who complete works under that scheme. Some 48,580 applications were received from farmers under the scheme and, to date, almost 35,000 approvals have been issued by my Department to farmers to commence work which work must be completed and supporting documentation submitted by 31 December 2008.

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