Agriculture

Continued support for farmers expected in Budget 2016 – Doyle

Andrew 2015, Agriculture, Finance, Jobs Enterprise Innovation, Wicklow - East Carlow

farmer_280x197_proFine Gael TD for Wicklow and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee, Andrew Doyle, has said that he expects Budget 2016 to confirm the Government’s continued support of farmers.

“In the past three Budgets this Government has made great progress in providing supports for farmers, particularly by supporting young farmers and the transfer of land. Having discussed the outstanding issues that farmers are having with the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney and others, I am confident that Budget 2016 will again confirm the Government’s support of farmers and the agri-food sector.

“Some very successful measures that have been introduced by this Government include the 25 per cent general stock relief; 100 per cent stock relief for young, trained farmers; 50 per cent stock relief for registered farm partnerships and 100 per cent stamp duty exemption for young, qualified farmers. I am hopeful that Budget 2016 will announce the extension of all of these measures and that they will not expire as planned at the end of this year.

“Farmers are self-employed people running small businesses and often providing local employment. It is essential that we recognise the risks and sacrifices that farmers, as business people, take. As part of the Fine Gael Standing Up for Small Business campaign, we consulted with small businesses and farmers, before putting their proposals to the Minister for Finance. These proposals include changes to the tax system for the self-employed. I am confident that Minister Noonan will take on board some of our suggestions.

“The decisions taken by this Government have brought us to an important time in our recovery. We are the fastest growing economy in Europe and we are creating over 1,300 new jobs a week, but we cannot afford to make any mistakes. “I expect next week’s Budget to be affordable, responsible and consistent with the plan to eliminate Government borrowing by 2018. “Under this Fine Gael led government, the agricultural and agri-food sectors are booming. There has been a 40% increase in food and beverage exports since 2009 and the sector is supporting 170,000 jobs, many of which are in rural areas. “This Government recognises the extremely important role played by farmers in supporting the economy. I expect Budget 2016 will recognise that.”

Funding of €56,000 for Rural Development in Arklow – Doyle

Andrew 2015, Agriculture, Environment, Jobs Enterprise Innovation

aerial-view-of-arklowFine Gael TD for Wicklow, Andrew Doyle has said that funding of €56,000 for rural economic development in Arklow as part of the REDZ (Rural Economic Development Zone) is great news and will help support the local communities around Arklow.

“The focus is on Arklow Town as the hub of the REDZ zone, with actions to build the structures to develop the relationship between Arklow town and its hinterland, including Aughrim, Rathdrum and Avoca. The project will be implemented by Arklow RedZ Group (ARG) and a key action will be the employment of a Development Manager who will be employed by Arklow Chamber of Commerce to deliver on the proposed action plan”

“In total, funding of over €3.7 million is being made available for Rural Economic Development Zone (REDZ) pilot projects around Ireland.  Under the pilot project Arklow is to get €56,000. The Arklow project will involve an innovative and partnership approach to regional regeneration.  The aims of this project are to bring job creation, economic and social renewal to Arklow Town and its rural hinterland.

“Rural Economic Development Zones are sub-county zones, within which most people live and work. The funding announced this week is on a pilot basis and supports the development of these areas.

“This investment is aimed at boosting employment, tackling rural isolation and helping communities to identify the issues, as well as the solutions. The aim is to support communities to avail of opportunities to help themselves and their local areas.

“It is hoped that if this pilot scheme is a success, a call for proposals for a more extensive REDZ initiative, under the LEADER elements of the RDP, will take place next year.

“This REDZ funding comes after the recent announcement of the €30 million Village and Town Renewal Scheme, which will run over 6 years and help to support towns and villages across the country.

“Fine Gael is keenly aware of the impact the economic downturn has had on towns and villages throughout Ireland and this year we launched the Standing Up for Rural Ireland campaign where our TDs came together to work to advocate on behalf of rural communities to ensure that the economic recovery spreads to all parts of Ireland. Other parties talk up the demise of rural Ireland. Fine Gael doesn’t buy into this. Rural Ireland is alive, but it needs support and this Government is committed to supporting it, with actions and funding, rather than just words.”