Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 463: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the anxiety, upset and hardship throughout rural Ireland as a consequence of the recent decision to eliminate the young farmers installation and entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37407/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to young farmers, a number of farm tax measures were renewed in Budget 2009. These are part of a number of schemes and reliefs that have been put in place in recent years to bring about improvements in land mobility that will, in turn, improve productivity and efficiency, particularly for young farmers. These reliefs include the renewal of stamp duty relief for four years until 31 December 2012 (worth an estimated €53 million in a full year), the renewal of stamp duty relief for farm consolidation for two years from 1 July 2009 to 31 June 2011, the renewal of both the general and the young trained farmers' rates of stock relief for a further two years (estimated cost to the Exchequer of €2 million in a full year) and the extension of the accelerated capital allowance for necessary farm pollution control facilities from 31 December 2008 to the 31 December 2010 (worth an estimated €10 million in a full year). When combined, these farm tax measures are estimated to be worth over €65 million in a full year.

In addition, the top rate of stamp duty on agricultural land transactions has been reduced with effect from 15 October 2008. This should reduce the cost of agricultural land to purchasers and encourage higher numbers of transactions. All these measures will help young farmers to improve land mobility, increase land swaps and attain higher environmental standards.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 464: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of recipients of the installation aid to young farmers for each of the past three years; the number of outstanding applications for the scheme that need to be processed and granted for those who applied prior to the withdrawal of the scheme as announced recently; his plans to encourage young people to enter farming for a living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37445/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The number of payees for the past three years under the Installation Aid Scheme is set out in the table.

941 applications for grant-aid were received by my Department under the most recent version of the Installation Aid Scheme, the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme, prior to its suspension for new applications on 14 October 2008. Of these, 311 have been paid. The possibility of reintroducing the scheme can be considered in the context of the preparation of the Annual Estimates next year and beyond, at which time any changes to the terms of the scheme can also be considered.