Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 582: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers markets operating countrywide; if they are being supported financially by the Government; and if he has investigated the supports he could provide to organic vegetable suppliers operating what are known as box schemes in their local areas as works effectively in the UK. [26885/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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While there is no formal register of Farmers' markets in Ireland, Bord Bia has, in co-operation with Invest Northern Ireland, published a comprehensive information guide on the operation of farmers markets and lists over 140 markets currently in operation throughout the island. Following qualitative and quantitative research into local food undertaken by Bord Bia, a guide entitled "Selling through Farmers' markets, Farm Shops and Box Schemes in Ireland" was produced last year to provide practical and in-depth advice for small food producers.

My Department also actively promotes the development of the organic sector in Ireland. Funding is available for producers under the Organic Farming Scheme, with higher rates applicable to horticulture-only producers. For the in-conversion period, which normally lasts two years, horticultural producers with a minimum of 1 hectare are entitled to €283 per hectare, and €142 per hectare when fully organic.

My Department also has organic capital on-farm and off-farm grant schemes available for producers and processors. Horticultural producers who extend their operations through to the point of sale, as in box schemes or farm shops, are eligible to apply for funding under these Schemes, which provide grant aid of 40% of the cost up to a maximum grant of €60,000 in the case of on-farm investments and €500,000 for investments off-farm.