John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 36: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in closing the installation aid scheme, Ireland has forfeited the EU contribution to this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26031/09]

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

Against the background of the deterioration in public finances, my approach in preparing the 2009 Estimates for my Department was to focus available resources on the measures that would permit us to maintain and grow the productive capacity of the agri-food sector. Because I had chosen to protect expenditure in certain areas, expenditure in other areas, such as installation aid for young farmers, had to be curtailed and the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was suspended for new applications on 14 October 2008.

To date there has been sufficient overall eligible expenditure under the Rural Development Programme to allow full draw down of available EU funds. There are ongoing commitments under the Young Farmers Installation Scheme which will continue to draw down these funds. I intend that any balance remaining relating to this Scheme will be drawn down by appropriate eligible expenditure over the lifetime of the Programme.

I have made provision of €9.7m for 2009 to meet current commitments under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and the preceding equivalent Schemes.