asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of applications received under the western drainage scheme to 31 December 1979, the number of these approved and the cost involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Western Drainage Scheme.
13.
The total number of applications received under the western drainage scheme at 31 December 1979 was 25,023. Approximately 8,000 of these have been approved. The estimated cost involved is £21,211,000.
Could the Minister say how long he expects the £28 million fund to last?
The programme is a five year one and at the moment, according to the figures issued, we are well ahead of target.
In view of the fact that the scheme was somewhat late in-starting, could the Minister say if it will run for the full five years from the actual starting date or from the theoretical starting date?
It will run from the starting date, which was 1 January 1979.
Will the Minister not agree that the scheme did not become effective until about April 1979 and that if the full five year programme were to be adhered to it should continue until April of the final year rather than January?
No. I am satisfied from the response from farmers at present that the money can and will be spent and that we shall have achieved our target of 250,000 acres in the five year period and that there will be no need for any extension.
Would the Minister not agree that if this scheme ends in January 1984 it will be nothing more than a four-and-a-half year programme, not five years?
It would not make any difference what time the scheme finishes. It is a five year programme and we have a certain allocation of money to spend. We are at present well up on our target. I said in reply to Deputy Donnellan that over 25,000 applications have been received; that approvals have been issued for 8,000 and that if that progress continues we will have achieved our target perhaps before the five year period expires.
Is the Minister saying that if the money runs out before the full five years are up the scheme will be suspended and no further grants will be allowed even in desirable cases?
I am not saying that at all. I am saying that the scheme is a five year one with a certain amount of money allocated to be spent. At present we are well on target and if that progress continues we will have achieved our target before the end of five years.
If the money runs out——
That is a hypothetical question and is not in order.
When we reach that bridge we can cross it.
We will reach it very soon.