HC Deb 12 January 1998 vol 304 cc81-2W
Mrs. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to continue the SPARD programme for improvements on farms after 1999. [21637]

Mr. Paul Murphy

Any decision about a future SPARD (Capital Grants) Scheme will be based on an assessment of the needs of the industry and an evaluation of the current scheme which, while closed to new applications is still being administered. Additionally, as a scheme with co-funding from the European Community it will need to address any agreements reached on foot of Agenda 2000.