Seán Conlan (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if State aid is available to persons wishing to grow energy crops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28602/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In February 2010, the Bioenergy Scheme was launched as part of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) under the Rural Development Programme. This Scheme is 50% co-funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The level of grant-aid available under the Bioenergy Scheme since 2010 is 50% of the crop establishment costs up to a maximum of €1,300 per hectare. This reflects the reduction in crop establishment cost since the launch of the pilot Bioenergy Scheme 2007-2009. From 2007 to end December 2011, just over 3,000 hectares of crops have been established under the Bioenergy Schemes. The Bioenergy Scheme for 2012 closed for applications on 27th January 2012. Approvals have issued to establish some 340 further hectares of crops under the 2012 Bioenergy Scheme.

A decision will be made shortly on a scheme for planting in 2013.