Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review the rate of grant awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny under the horticultural grant aid scheme with a view to having the full percentage of grant awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45907/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Scheme of Investment aid for the development of Commercial Horticulture sector the standard rate of grant is 40%. The applicant, on the basis of being a young farmer, was provisionally approved for the higher rate of grant (50%) aid under the Scheme. This provisional approval was based on him being in a position to demonstrate, by the date he applied for payment of aid, that he was in control of financial management of the grant aided enterprise.

The applicant duly applied for payment and a pre-payment inspection was conducted by DAFF. At the time of inspection the applicant was not in a position to demonstrate control of financial management of the grant-aided enterprise. Therefore aid was paid at the standard rate with the right to appeal.

The applicant subsequently appealed and his case was fully reviewed by DAFF. This included a second farm visit by a different Inspector. Having assessed the appeal DAFF has concluded that the applicant is not entitled to the higher rate of aid. When he applied for payment, the applicant was not in control of financial management and consequently has been paid at the standard rate of 40% for the eligible investments.