Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 433: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total amount of grant aid allocated to companies (details supplied) in County Roscommon by her Department from 1996 to date in 2006; the criteria in relation to eligibility for such grant aid; the inspections carried out in relation to the provision of departmental funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36252/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the National Development Plan (NDP) 2000-2006 funding is provided for the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector. This Scheme is aimed at assisting producers in the development of the horticulture sector by grant aiding capital investments in specialised plant and equipment.

Under the NDP Scheme the companies referred to received grant aid of €23,553 and €111,300 in 2002 and 2004, respectively, to support total approved investments of €385,296. Under the previous scheme for Grant Aid for Investments in Commercial Horticulture which came within the framework of the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry (OPARDF) 1994-1999, a grant of £17,449 was paid in 1998.

The criteria for eligibility for the NDP grant aid are set out in the Terms and Conditions which are available on the Department's website. All projects are approved subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme. When a claim for payment is made a detailed inspection of the project is carried out by an inspector from the Department. All documentation is checked including invoices, bank statements and tax clearance certificates before payment is made.