Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when approval for grant aid under the farm improvement scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [19003/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The person named is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. Applications under this Scheme are being processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016. The application concerned is, therefore, eligible for consideration and will be processed subject to funding still being available at that time.

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Galway, an applicant under the 40% farm grant scheme will receive approval; the circumstances of this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19004/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The person named is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. Applications under this Scheme are being processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016. The application concerned is, therefore, eligible for consideration and will be processed subject to funding still being available at that time.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a payment of €35 per head on sheep to retain sheep farming in hill areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19019/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Premia payments for ewes ceased on the introduction of the Single Farm payment in 2005 and the re-introduction of a headage payment even in hill areas would not be easily achieved without consequences for the Single Farm Payment. My predecessor raised the difficulties in the sheep sector at the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers last March. Commissioner Fisher Boel has indicated that the needs of the sector would be borne in mind in the CAP Health Check.