Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 7

Written Answers. - Control of Farmyard Pollution.

Tony Killeen

Question:

31 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the current position regarding the control of farmyard pollution scheme, with particular reference to applicants whose completed scheme differs materially from that approved. [14554/95]

Brendan Smith

Question:

54 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of applications received to date under the control of farmyard pollution scheme in each county; the number of full grant approvals issued; and the number of conditional approvals issued. [14513/95]

Brian Cowen

Question:

146 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the total number of applications received under the control of farmyard pollution scheme; the total number of approvals issued; the total number of payments made on foot of such approvals to date; the processing period for applications under the control of farmyard pollution scheme; the total amount paid out on foot of works completed under the control of farmyard pollution scheme to date; and the total yet to be paid in respect of works completed under the control of farmyard pollution scheme to date. [14696/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 54 and 146 together. A review of the scheme for the control of farm pollution has been completed. The results of this were announced by me on 6 September last. Following this review adequate financing is now being made available, over the next few years, for payments to be made in respect of all 18,500 applications received under the scheme.

The new funding arrangements involve the use of the overall inflator under the operational programme, an internal transfer of some funds from another element of the operational programme and the bringing forward of substantial funds, already available in the operational programme, into 1996 and 1997 from later years. This will result in the funds previously earmarked for the scheme, in those two years, being increased from about £20 million to £60 million.

In addition and with a view to speeding up the processing of applications new procedures are being introduced. Under these each applicant is being given up to six months to submit detailed drawings of the proposed developments together with a list of existing farm facilities or, where appropriate, local authority planning approval.

As regards works to be completed the position under the scheme is that applicants are advised in writing at the date of approval of the specification of works to be completed. Where an applicant completes less work than that approved the grant is based on the cost of the completed work provided this is of approved standard. Where the works completed exceed those provided for in the approval grant payment remains as provided for in the approval.

Where an applicant has a change of circumstances, such as those arising from the purchase of additional lands or additional quota, and where the applicant requests, in writing, a change in the approved investment before work commences, my Department is prepared to examine and, where appropriate, amend the approval and specifications to take this change into account. In these circumstances the applicant will be advised in writing of the changes to the initial approval.

The applications received up to December 1994 have now been processed in nearly every county. Every effort is being made to have the applications in these counties cleared and then move to applications received in January 1995.

I have set out on the tables which I am circulating the statistical information requested by the Deputies.

Control of Farmyard Pollution Scheme

Total Applications Received	18,451
Number of Approvals	7,425
Amount of Approvals	£63,579,774
Number Paid	1,550
Amount Paid	£9,847,723
Work Completed-Payment Outstanding	£699,567

Control of Farmyard Pollution.

County	Applications to Date	Approvals to Date	Conditional Approvals
Carlow	140	82	2
Cavan	1,058	24	289
Clare	1,203	245	78
Cork	1,006	340	78
Donegal	970	494	29
Dublin	31	15	4
Galway	2,241	962	141
Kerry	682	211	96
Kildare	294	105	15
Kilkenny	490	313	16
Laois	446	74	51
Leitrim	771	278	39
Limerick	455	125	35
Longford	634	164	73
Louth	163	48	14
Mayo	2,209	867	160
Meath	482	7	135
Monaghan	693	282	23
Offaly	487	94	48
Roscommon	985	191	104
Sligo	675	203	12
Tipperary North	334	101	20
Tipperary South	453	77	42
Waterford	206	97	5
Westmeath	483	148	40
Wexford	654	186	42
Wicklow	206	88	13
Total	18,451	5,821	1,604