Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to introduce a new on-farm investment scheme, which will include aid for investment in housing, handling and related facilities. [18139/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Farm Improvement Scheme, introduced in July 2007 following receipt of EU approval for the 2007-2013 RDP, provided grant-aid for the areas mentioned. Under the Scheme, grant-aid is available up to a maximum eligible investment ceiling of €120,000 with a separate ceiling of €120,000 being applicable in the case of dairy hygiene measures. The standard grant-rate for animal housing and related storage facilities and for dairy hygiene investments is 40%. All farmers are eligible to participate in the Scheme due to the removal of all income unit requirements from the Scheme. New eligible items included in the Scheme are (a) rubber mats on slats, (b) installation of water retention equipment on farms, (c) mobile sheep handling facilities, and (d) out-wintering pads. Funding of €79 million was agreed for the Scheme under Towards 2016, as part of an overall programme of investment of €350m for farm waste and other on-farm investment measures. The terms and conditions of the Scheme specifically provide for its termination when this financial ceiling was reached. The Scheme was suspended on 31 October 2007 when 12,675 applications had been received. Applications received before that date are currently being processed up to the level of funding made available for the Scheme under Towards 2016.