Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will reopen the farm improvement scheme, which is of paramount importance to the farming community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7097/08]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she has plans to reopen applications for grants under the farm improvement grants scheme during 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6873/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 45 together.

The Farm Improvement Scheme was launched by my Department in July 2007 with a funding provision of €79 million as agreed under the Partnership agreement, Towards 2016. As applications under the Scheme had reached this level of funding, the Scheme was closed to new applications on 31 October 2007. I have no plans at present to reopen this Scheme.