Written answers
Tuesday, 30 March 2004
Department of Agriculture and Food
Departmental Budget
9:00 pm
Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of national Exchequer funds received by his Department in each of the past ten years; if he has satisfied himself that sufficient funds are available to support young entrants to maintain a viable industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10118/04]
Joe Walsh (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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The following table sets out the amount of gross and net national Exchequer funds received by my Department in each of the past 10 years.
| Year | Gross Outturn €m | Net Outturn €m |
| 1994 | 622.3 | 330.3 |
| 1995 | 663.3 | 351.1 |
| 1996 | 901.6 | 536.1 |
| 1997* | 968.2 | 520.5 |
| 1998 | 961.2 | 518.3 |
| 1999 | 1,005.3 | 625.6 |
| 2000 | 1,050.1 | 733.9 |
| 2001 | 1,429.8 | 1,071.0 |
| 2002** | 1,348.3 | 887.1 |
| 2003 | 1,226.2 | 828.7 |
| * From 11 July 1997, the Forestry Service functions were transferred from my Department. | ||
| ** From 18 June 2002, Rural Development and Horse/Greyhound functions were transferred from my Department. |
The table shows that there was a significant increase in the amount of national Exchequer funds received by my Department over the last ten years. The reduction in the gross budget outturn in 2003 compared with 2001 and 2002 reflects the additional costs incurred by my Department in the latter two years on foot and mouth disease and the purchase for destruction and special purchase schemes.
The substantial increase in the allocation to my Department over the ten year period demonstrates the continued commitment of the Government to the agriculture and food sector. The gross allocation for my Department for 2004 is €1.405 billion. As regards the availability of funds for young entrants, a sum of €9 million has been provided for this purpose under the installation aid scheme in 2004. This is nearly three times the 2003 allocation and reflects the importance which this Government attaches to the rejuvenation of the farming sector. I am confident that the 2004 provision will be sufficient to meet all applications under this scheme which mature over the course of the year. A range of measures are also in place through prioritisation in quota allocations, etc. to assist young farmers.
I am satisfied that sufficient resources are being made available for the schemes and programmes implemented by my Department and will enable it to continue to provide a high quality service to agriculture, forestry and the food industry into the future.
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