Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the level of planting of willow and miscanthus he anticipates as a result of his recently announced 2011 bio-energy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45050/10]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the value of his 2011 bio-energy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45049/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 72 together.

In February 2010 approval was granted to launch the Bioenergy Scheme 2010-2012, to follow on from the pilot Bioenergy Scheme which ran from 2007-2009, encouraging farmers to grow the energy crops willow and miscanthus. From 2007 – 2010 the Bioenergy Schemes have supported the planting of up to 3,000 hectares of bioenergy crops. The 2010-2012 scheme is provided for in the Rural Development Programme and is co-funded by my Department and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

The scheme provides a once-off capital grant of up to a maximum of €1,300 per hectare to aid 50% of crop establishment costs. The Bioenergy Scheme for 2011 was launched on 16th November 2010, with a closing date of 19th January 2011. Based on contacts with the key players in the industry the indications are that there will be considerable interest in the 2011 scheme. There is sufficient funding currently available to support the planting of up to 1,800 hectares in 2011.