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Dáil Éireann - Volume 590 - 19 October, 2004 Written Answers - Grant Payments. Mr. Kehoe Mr. Kehoe 429. Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the scheme of investment aid for the potato sector; if and when further grants will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25110/04] Mary Coughlan Mary Coughlan Mary Coughlan: The first round of the farm investment aid scheme for the potato sector covered the period January 2001 to December 2002. The scheme received 140 applications. Some 38 applicants were approved for grants. The balance of applicants were written to and told that they were unsuccessful. There have been no further rounds of this scheme since then. Under the capital investment scheme for the marketing and processing of certain agricultural products, applications were invited earlier this year for grant aid to commercial enterprises towards the capital cost of specialised facilities for the handling and marketing of potatoes. The closing date for receipt of applications was 18 June 2004. The applications are being assessed and decisions on the award of grants will be taken shortly. Future funding of capital grant aid schemes in the potato sector will be determined in the context of the budgetary situation and the overall requirements for the development of the sector, particularly in value added projects. Mr. Ring Mr. Ring 1117 430. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applications relating to force majeure and exceptional circumstances which were received by the single pay[1117] ment scheme section of her Department; the number of these which have been dealt with to date; the number which were subsequently appealed; and the number of these appeals which were successful or unsuccessful. [25309/04] Mr. Perry Mr. Perry 434. Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applications her Department has received under the single payment force majeure and exceptional circumstances scheme; the number of applications that have been granted and the number refused; the reason for the refusals; the number at appeal stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25478/04] Mary Coughlan Mary Coughlan Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 434 together. The following is the up to date position regarding the processing of 15,256 applications received under the force majeure-exceptional circumstances provisions of the single payment scheme:
Applicants under the scheme were considered unsuccessful where the circumstances put forward were not deemed to satisfy the criteria for force majeure-exceptional circumstances under article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. Dáil Éireann 590 Written Answers Grant Payments. Questions 20041019
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