Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the average grant available per acre for miscanthus growers; and if he will provide financial incentives for these. [12029/10]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the way in which he is supporting farmers and other producers who wish to grow miscanthus grass as an energy crop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11990/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 84 together.

The Department launched a new Bioenergy Scheme in February 2010 to grant aid miscanthus and willow planting to the end of 2012. This succeeds the pilot scheme in place since 2007. Approved costs will be grant aided up to 50% of establishment costs, subject to a maximum grant of €1,300 per hectare (€526.31/acre) for both crops. In addition to establishment grants, areas planted with miscanthus also qualify for the Single Farm Payment and payments under the REPS and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, subject to some restrictions on the areas planted.