James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there are plans to address outstanding young farmers' installation aid and farmer hardship cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40542/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was suspended for new applications on 14 October 2008. 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.