John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 876: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to introduce the new dairy equipment scheme approved by the EU Commission; the qualification criteria and funding levels available under this new scheme; if investments already undertaken this year will be eligible for grant aid under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1599/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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EU Commission approval for the introduction of five targeted modernisation schemes focused on supporting productive investment in the agricultural sector was received in 2010. Due to the relatively short time-frames for completion of the investment works concerned, priority was given to the introduction of the Sow Welfare and Poultry Welfare Schemes which were launched on 16 June 2010. The Sheep Fencing/Handling Scheme opened for applications on 1 November 2010.

No date has yet been fixed for the introduction of the Dairy Equipment Scheme. Under the terms of Ireland's Rural Development Programme, the Scheme will provide grant-aid for (i) milking machine equipment, and (ii) milk storage and cooling equipment, at a standard grant-rate of 40 per cent up to a maximum grant level. It is a strict condition of all on-farm investment schemes that grant-aid may only be paid on work which has commenced after the date of issue of written approval by my Department.