John Carty (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the assistance available to the seed potato sector; and her plans for the sector. [12205/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In August 2005 I announced a grant aid programme for the development of the seed potato sector. The programme, which comes under the national development plan, funds capital investment projects for specialised seed production in 2005-2006. A grant package of 35% applies under the scheme.

The main objective of the scheme is to improve the marketing infrastructure of the seed potato sector by providing grant assistance to producers towards the capital costs of equipment and facilities for the production, storage and marketing of seed potatoes. My main aim is to develop a competitive seed sector with strong links with ware growers to ensure that the €100 million potato industry continues to grow to its full potential.

To date 18 applications have been received and 14 approvals for grant aid under this scheme have been issued amounting to €767,000. There is provision of €1 million for this scheme in 2006.