245 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has had investigations made into the production of turf grass for sports grounds and lawns as an alternative farm enterprise. [5945/97]

Production of turf grass for sports grounds qualifies as an alternative farm enterprise in the scheme of grant aid for investments in commercial horticulture under the operational programme for agriculture rural development and forestry (1994-99). Turf grass also qualified and was grant aided under the operational programme for rural development (1991-93).