Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to improve farm incomes in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24982/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Farm incomes are generated primarily by a combination of returns from the market and direct payments.

My Department continues to support farm incomes through the provision of the Single Farm Payment and other major support systems under the Rural Development Programme. Overall, it is estimated that these direct payments and supports account for about 75% of net farm incomes. The important issue, post decoupling, is to maximise the level of income from market returns.

Competitiveness is the key to maximizing returns from the market. The recently published Agri-Vision 2015 Action Plan is predicated on improving competitiveness. On the issue of competitiveness alone, the Plan contains over 90 specific actions designed to assist Irish farming to compete more effectively on European and international markets. As farmers position themselves to take advantage of the significant State investments in supports, training and advice they can improve their competitiveness and innovative ability thereby enhancing their opportunity for improved farm incomes. The other planks of the Agri-Vision document i.e. placing greater emphasis on innovation and consumer focus within the agri-food sector will also contribute positively to the long-term future of farm income.