Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

657. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an assurance that a new farm modernisation scheme will be introduced in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1100/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The new EU policy framework for rural development for the 2014-2020 period has now been finalised. In the determination of the farm sectors in which investment aid will be made available in the new rural development programme, I will be examining all options and consulting relevant stakeholders to ensure that the maximum benefit is derived from the financial resources which will be available.

The date of introduction of any new investment schemes will be dependent on a number of factors, including the requirement to obtain EU Commission approval for the programme concerned.