Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the situation regarding outstanding applications for the farm improvement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13024/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Farm Improvement Scheme was launched by my Department in July 2007. The funding for the Scheme was agreed under the Partnership agreement, Towards 2016, as part of an overall programme of investment in the agri-food sector. A total of €350 million was provided for farm waste and other on-farm investment measures, of which €79 million was provided for the Farm Improvement Scheme. I indicated, at the time of its launch, that the Scheme would be terminated when this financial ceiling had been reached and this was also specifically provided for in the terms and conditions of the Scheme.

12,675 applications were received under the Farm Improvement Scheme prior to its suspension on 31 October 2007. These applications are currently being processed up to the level of funding made available for the Scheme under the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016.