Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the applications to the farm improvement scheme submitted in the last ten days before closure of the scheme from 21 to 31 October 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25558/08]

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 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016. The Scheme was suspended on 31 October 2007 as applications received has reached this level of funding. It was specifically made clear, 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 from farmers prior to the closing date of the Scheme.

These applications are currently being processed within my Department up to the level of funding made available for the Scheme in the above-mentioned Partnership agreement.