She confirmed that certain measures, such as support for those farming in Less Favoured Areas and forestry, were in place from the start of the programme in January 2007. The Processing and Marketing Grant scheme then opened in December 2007.
"Other measures have opened steadily since then, and at the end of March this year, over 100 million pounds of Rural Development Programme funds had been paid out," she added
"The Countryside Agri Rural Partnership Ltd has been appointed to deliver the Farm Modernisation Programme, Focus Farms, Family Farm Options, Benchmarking and Supply Chain Development schemes. The Farm Modernisation Programme opened earlier in the year and experienced high volumes of applications, 434 letters of offer have now issued and it is expected that all Letters of Offer will be issued by the end of June. The second tranche of the Farm Modernisation Programme will open next year, following a full review of its first phase
"Agri-Environment Programmes are always popular with farmers and landowners and these opened for a two month window in 2008. I will announce my plans for Tranche 2 of the Countryside Management Scheme and Organic Farming Scheme shortly.
"The forestry measures under the Rural Development Programme, including the Short Rotation Coppice Scheme, have been open since 2007 and will remain open for the duration of the Programme.
"Setting up the Council Committees and Local Action Group delivery structures required for Axis 3 has taken time. I'm pleased to say, however, that all Council Committees and Local Action Groups have now opened for expressions of interest, with over 1,000 received so far. I expect the first Letters of Offer for Axis 3 measures to issue this summer."
Michelle Gildernew concluded: "My Department will continue to make commitments under the current Rural Development Programme until 2013, with all payments made by 2015."