Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will re-open the farm improvement scheme which would help ease the burden on farmers going forward following the introduction of the Nitrates Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25555/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Farm Improvement Scheme was introduced by my Department in July 2007 with funding of €79 million as agreed under the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016, and was suspended on 31 October 2007 as applications had reached this level of funding. Indeed, the terms and conditions of the Scheme specifically provided for its termination when this financial ceiling was reached. 12,675 applications were received from farmers prior to the closing date of the Scheme and these applications are currently being processed within my Department up to the level of funding made available for the Scheme. I have no plans at present to reopen the Scheme to new applications.

The revised Farm Waste Management Scheme which was introduced by my Department in March 2006, rather than the Farm Improvement Scheme, was the principal measure designed to assist farmers meet their obligations under the Nitrates Directive and a standard grant-rate of 60% (70% in the four Zone C counties) is available to farmers who complete investment works under that Scheme. 48,580 applications were received from farmers under the Farm Waste Management Scheme and, to date, 41,750 approvals have issued to farmers to commence work under the Scheme. The remaining applications have either been withdrawn, are awaiting the receipt of full planning permission or are explained by the receipt of multiple applications from a single farmer. To date this year, over €110 million has been paid out in grants to farmers under the Farm Waste Management Scheme compared to €21 million in 2006 and €114 million during the 2007 calendar year. Under the terms of the Scheme, all investment works must be completed by farmers and supporting documentation submitted to my Department by 31 December 2008 and I urge farmers to ensure that this deadline is respected so that they can avail of the generous grants available.