John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the grants available to persons who are involved in growing commercial produce; the section of his Department that deals with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25134/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector, my Department provides grant aid for horticultural growers who are making capital investments in specialist plant and equipment.

The main objectives of the scheme are to improve the quality of products, facilitate environmentally friendly practices and promote diversification of on-farm activities in response to market demand. Apart from improving the quality of products, investments under the scheme have also significantly extended the growing season for Irish produce.

This is a competitive grant aid scheme so funding is only provided for the very best projects which will achieve scheme objectives. The closing date for the latest round of the Scheme was Friday 18th February 2011 and €4 million was allocated to 157 projects. The grant aid covers all areas of the horticultural industry and will assist in funding investments of approximately €10.2 million in 2011.

Further details of the Scheme are available from the Crop Policy, Production & Safety Division of my Department, who can be contacted at 01-5058801.

A decision has not yet been taken on whether a similar scheme will operate in 2012.

There is also a Scheme of Grant Aid for the development of the Organic Sector which provides financial assistance towards projects which help to improve the production, handling and preparation of organic produce.

The main objective of the Scheme is to facilitate the development of the organic sector so as to ensure a regular supply of high quality organic produce to the market. This Scheme is open at present and approximately €180,000 has been allocated to organic projects so far in 2011.

Further details of the Scheme are available from the Organics Unit of my Department, who can be contacted at 053-9163400.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the remaining 25% of REP scheme 4 payment will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25135/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named commenced REPS 4 in 2008 and has received full payments for the first two years of his contract.

In addition, 75% of the third year payment issued on 21st March 2011 for the amount of €5,361.94. An area based discrepancy was discovered following a cross check between the Single Payment Scheme application for 2010 from the person named and the REPS agri-environmental plan. This discrepancy has resulted in the imposition of a penalty and a delay in processing the final 25% payment under REPS 4 for 2010.

My Department is currently making arrangements to process outstanding payments to farmers of the 25% due in respect of 2010 in the cases where penalties were incurred and I expect payments to commence in these cases in October.