Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when new grant aid schemes will be introduced that were announced on 8 July 2009. [43628/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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A new scheme called the "Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme" has been proposed under Ireland's revised Rural Development Programme which was submitted to the EU Commission last July. The proposed scheme includes measures to assist dairy enterprises and sheep enterprises. A water management scheme is also proposed. Animal welfare issues relating to pigs and poultry will also be addressed with support provided to help producers to comply with welfare standards applicable in 2012 and 2013. It is also proposed to fund bio energy measures through establishment grants for willow and miscanthus.

The Commission has raised some queries relating to these proposals and negotiations are ongoing regarding the final format of the revised Programme. Commission approval for these Schemes is expected by mid December. Matching national funds must be provided to draw down the EU funds available for these schemes and the timing of their introduction will therefore depend on the outcome of the normal estimates process.