Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a decision will be made on an application for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29747/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Agriculture Appeals Office made a determination on the appeal by the person concerned on 12 November 2007.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding grant assistance for the growing of Miscanthus grass; and if she has plans to support the development of the growth of this alternative crop. [29750/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In Budget 2007, €8 million was made available over the period 2007-2009 for a new Bioenergy Scheme to incentivise farmers to plant miscanthus and willow for use as a renewable source of energy. The Scheme was launched in February 2007 to provide establishment grants for up to 50% of the costs associated with establishing miscanthus and willow, subject to a maximum grant of €1,450 per hectare. The response to the Scheme was encouraging with some 700 hectares of miscanthus planted.

In addition to establishment grants, farmers who grow miscanthus can also qualify for a new National Energy Premium, of €80 per hectare, which is payable in addition to the EU premium under the EU Energy Crops Scheme. It is intended that the €80 payment will apply for three years and will be subject to a maximum ceiling per producer over the three years. The current maximum area per producer over the three-year period is 37.5 hectares. My Department is pursuing EU approval to increase this hectarage ceiling.

I have extended the aid paid under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (DAS) to areas planted with miscanthus. On the REPS area, farmers can receive an adjusted REPS 3 payment of €155 per hectare increasing to €189 per hectares in REPS 4, up to a maximum area on REPS holdings of 10 hectares or 25% whichever is the greater. On the DAS area, farmers can qualify for an adjusted rate of grant consisting of the appropriate DAS amount less the EU Premium available under the EU Energy Crops Scheme, subject to a maximum area of 10 hectares per applicant.