Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason no beef and sheepmeats grants will be awarded until 30 June 2010 at the earliest; if those awaiting the grants will be given a guaranteed timeframe for the receipt of payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43794/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Beef and Sheepmeat Investment Fund supports investment in increased scale and efficiency in primary processing, and added value in further processing for retail, food service and manufacturing outlets. This is part of a strategy to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the industry and 15 projects have been approved for grant assistance of over €69 million, contributing to total investment in the region of €168 million.

This Fund is financed by my Department and managed by Enterprise Ireland. The selection of projects followed careful assessment and evaluation by an expert committee comprising members from Enterprise Ireland, my Department, Bord Bia, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, private industry and academia. The meat processors who were successful in this process are aware that investment is being provided over a multi-annual period running until 2012. This is in line with the normal timeframe for capital investment of this scale.

In the case of eligible capital investments carried out up to 31 December 2008, my Department has agreed that grant aid will be paid out at the latest by 30 June 2010. Grant aid in respect of eligible capital investments carried out after 31 December 2008 will be paid out over the period up to and including 2012. However, in a number of cases, payment for this investment will proceed before the end of this year and Enterprise Ireland will be in contact with the relevant companies in due course.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in payments in respect of the rural environment protection scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when payment will be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43487/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue. Processing of applications is at an advanced stage. I hope to be in a position to release the 75% payment due on valid applications in mid- December, and the remaining 25% once the last of the on-the-spot inspections for 2009 has taken place.