John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the level of uptake of grant aid for the development of abattoirs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37485/08]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the numbers of applications received under the grant aid scheme for the development of local abattoirs, since the beginning of the scheme in view of the importance of local abattoirs to local food production; the amount of money allocated to date under the scheme; and the way information on the scheme has been published. [37591/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 83 together.

Under my Department's capital investment scheme for the marketing and processing of agricultural products, a total of 51 eligible applications were received in respect of small slaughterhouses and low throughput meat establishments. The applications are going through a competitive assessment and evaluation process in which the strengths of the various proposals are being assessed and ranked in line with the objectives of the Scheme together with applications in the horticulture and marts areas. The assessment has involved, in a number of cases, seeking additional information from the applicants in terms of business plans, financial information and technical drawings. The evaluation process is nearing completion.