Agriculture

€500 million EU aid package will benefit farmers in Wicklow – Doyle

Andrew 2015, Agriculture, Wicklow - East Carlow

commission-created-improve-food-production-stability-harsh-conditions€500 million EU aid package will benefit farmers in Wicklow – Doyle

Clarity needed on how funds to be disbursed

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/Carlow East, Andrew Doyle, has said that a €500 million EU aid package for farmers will be of significant benefit for farmers in Wicklow.

“The announcement of this €500 million EU aid package is good news for farmers.The important issue now is to clarify as soon as possible how these funds are going to be disbursed to Member States. We also need to know complete details of the measures the Commission is envisaging to support the market.

“In addition the provision of a 70% rate of advance payment payable under the direct payment schemes will help ease cash flow for many farm families. The package will also enable the introduction of APS (Aids to Private Storage) for cheese and pigmeat, with better conditions for APS for other products and the introduction of additional promotional measures.

“I welcome the commitment of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney to negotiate a positive outcome for Irish farmers. I am glad that the European Commission has addressed most of the points made by Ireland in the six-point plan presented to the Commission and the Council last week.

“I also welcome the separate announcement by the European Commission that it will re-engage in discussions with the Russian authorities concerning the restrictions imposed on certain pigmeat products.

“Fine Gael is standing up for rural Ireland and working hard to spread the fruits of the economic recovery across the country. The Party’s “Standing up for Rural Ireland” is focused on ensuring that the benefits of the economic recovery are felt in every town, village, parish and home across rural Ireland.”

ENDS

New programmes available to support female entrepreneurs in rural areas – Doyle

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

untitledFine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle, has encouraged local women in Wicklow who have recently started their own business, to apply to ACORNS (Accelerating the Creation of Rural Nascent Start-ups), a fully funded programme to support female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.

“Applications are being sought from female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland for the ACORNS programme, which will provide knowledge, support and networking opportunities to those who are selected. This will provide these women with the opportunity to advance the development of their businesses.

“ACORNS, which is funded under the CEDRA 2015 Rural Innovation and Development Fund, is aimed at women in rural Ireland who have recently started a business or who are in the process of doing so.

“Female entrepreneurs who have set up a business since the 9th of July 2013 or who are actively planning a new venture can apply by Friday 11th September. There is no restriction on the sector in which the new business is focused and the pilot programme will begin on the 30th September.

“Supporting businesses in rural Ireland and Wicklow is essential to drive the recovery forward and to ensure that people in all areas of the country feel the benefits of economic growth. The Government is committed to implementing the CEDRA report, to driving jobs growth through the Regional Action Plan and working to provide improved services to rural Ireland through the Standing Up for Rural Ireland campaign.

 

“I know that there are a lot of excellent business women operating throughout Wicklow. I would encourage all those who are interested to apply for this programme”

 

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