Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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527. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be any grant assistance towards the construction of silage pits under the new rural development plan; when he expects to make an announcement regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17853/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The consultation paper prepared by my Department on the proposed measures for inclusion in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020 includes a commitment to the introduction of grant-aid in a number of specific areas, including the construction of animal housing.

The question of related facilities, such as the construction of silage pits, will be considered as my Department examines the possibilities of developing new schemes under the broad headings set out in the consultation paper, in the light of the comments received from the various stakeholders as part of the public consultation process. EU Commission approval for the Programme will be required before any new national measures are introduced on the basis of the Programme.