Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 202: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the dramatic and negative impact upon farm families that a number of measures announced in budget 2009 will have, and in particular the decisions to suspend the early retirement scheme and the installation aid scheme, the significant changes to the disadvantaged area scheme and the suckler cow welfare scheme which will mean substantial losses of income for affected farmers; if he will review same and have them reversed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37721/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am well aware of the impact of the measures contained in the 2009 Budget for my Department. Against the background of the deterioration in the national finances, difficult choices had to be made in allocating the resources available to me in 2009. I made these decisions in the best interests of the sector following detailed analysis of my Department's programme of expenditure and careful consideration of the options available. Despite the economic and budgetary situation, funding of €1.8 billion gross is provided for my Department in the 2009 Budget. When combined with EU funding and co-funding of about €1.4 billion next year, this represents very substantial funding for the support and development of the agri-food sector.

My priority in framing the 2009 Budget for the Department was to focus available resources on protecting the most productive elements of the agriculture, food, forestry and fisheries sectors and to ensure that they will continue to develop. My objective is to continue to develop the sector within the budgetary constraints to ensure that it is well positioned to achieving its full potential and benefit from future economic growth. I will monitor all aspects of my Department's expenditure throughout 2009 and, in the normal course, I will review spending priorities in the context of the preparation of the 2010 Estimates.