Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the grant programmes available from her Department and from agencies under her responsibility; and the deadlines of each programme. [33918/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Details relating to grant programmes which are available from my Department are contained in my Department's publication, Schemes and Services, which is available from my Department's offices and on the 2005 Publications page of its website, www.agriculture.gov.ie. I have arranged for a copy of the current edition to be sent to the Deputy. Reference is made in this publication to grant programmes administered by An Bord Bia to assist small and medium-size enterprises with marketing capabilities. Further details can be obtained directly from An Bord Bia.

In addition, grant aid is available to private veterinary practitioners in respect of computer equipment necessarily purchased to interact with the new animal health computer system introduced by my Department. Veterinary practitioners may, subject to certain thresholds, qualify for grants of 50% in respect of office-based equipment — PCs and printers etc. — and grants of 60% in respect of electronic hand-held devices.

In order to qualify for the grant aid, veterinary practitioners must have commenced operating the animal health computer system electronically by 30 September 2005 and must have submitted their claim for payment to my Department by 14 October 2005.