Details of €53m schemes on the way

FULL details of and application forms for the €53 million dairy equipment and rainwater harvesting schemes are still being finalised — despite an earlier announcement by outgoing Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith that the schemes would be open for applications by last Tuesday.

Until 2014, the €45m dairy equipment scheme will provide 40% grants for milking machinery and milk storage and cooling. The €8m rainwater scheme will provide 40% grants for rainwater collection tanks and ancillary items. Details will be on the Department’s www.agriculture.gov.ie website imminently.