Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the plans he has to deal with hardship installation cases locked out of the scheme in budget 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16905/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was suspended for new applications on 14 October 2008 against the background of the deterioration in the national finances. 941 applications for grant-aid were received by my Department under the Scheme prior to its suspension and these applications are being processed to payment stage as the claims are approved. An allocation of €4.5 million has been provided in this year's Estimates to meet the financial commitment involved in processing applications under the Scheme and the preceding installation aid schemes. I have no plans at present to reopen the Scheme to new applicants. If and when the Scheme is reopened, I will endeavour to ensure that priority is given to those persons who were intending to apply for grant-aid under the Scheme prior to its suspension.