11 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has made a final decision as to the way in which the £8.2 million available under the 2002 national beef envelope will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30151/01]

12 Mr. Moloney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the amount of funding to be made available in the national beef envelope for 2002; the way in which these funds are to be targeted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30058/01]

22 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will allocate the extra £8.2 million which has been approved as a top-up for the national beef envelope in 2001 to young trained farmers under 35 years of age and allocate this on their suckler cow premium; his views on whether such allocation would clearly indicate the Government's commitment to improving the incomes of young farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27098/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12 and 22 together.

There will be approximately £24.6 million available from the national envelope under Agenda 2000 in 2002 for distribution among beef producers. This compares with £16.4 million available for the current year which was used to top-up the slaughter premium for beef breed heifers and to top-up the suckler cow premium in respect of replacement suckler cows in order to encourage a more rapid replacement of suckler cows.