asked the Minister for Agriculture (1) the number of applications made for grant aid under the western drainage scheme up to 31 December 1980; (2) the number which were second or subsequent applications; (3) the number dealt with to date; (4) the number of approvals issued and the total amount of money in grant aid and the number of hectares involved; (5) if there are sufficient funds remaining from the EEC to allow all other applications to be approved; (6) the number of applications withdrawn; (7) if his Department have any powers, or if the applicant has any recourse under the scheme, if denied a satisfactory outlet by an adjoining land owner; (8) the percentage of approved schemes completed to date; (9) the percentage which are in progress; (10) the percentage cancelled; (11) if his Department will honour their commitment to pay a grant where work is not commenced within the allotted time of the approval; (12) the number of agricultural co-operatives who applied for grant aid for the purchase of drainage machinery; (13) the number of such applications approved; (14) the number of such co-operatives who have purchased machinery and if he will specify the type of machinery bought and the amount of finance paid; (15) the supervision, if any, operated by his Department to ensure that machinery purchased under this scheme is being used for the purpose for which it was intended; (16) if it is proposed to extend the machinery purchase scheme into 1981; and (17) if he will make a statement on the report (details supplied) that drainage schemes are being specified down to a price rather than up to the standard.
Written Answers. - Western Drainage Scheme.
Since most of the information is of a statistical nature I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
The information requested under numbers (5), (7), (11), (14), (15), (16) and (17) is as follows:
No. (5) — The western drainage scheme, which is financed to the extent of 50% by the EEC, provides for a five year drainage programme of 100,000 ha. Because of the unprecedented demand under the scheme, it now looks as if this target will be exceeded and in view of this, application will be made to the EEC for an extension of the programme.
No. (7) — There is no provision in the scheme whereby a landowner can be compelled to provide a satisfactory outlet.
No. (11) — The time allowed for completion of approved schemes is generous and it is in the farmer's own interest to complete the work within this time. However, where an applicant shows that he was unable to complete the work by the specified date due to factors outside his control, consideration would be given to extending the period.
No. (14) — The range of machinery purchased by co-operatives includes excavators, bulldozers, mole ploughs, stoning carts, and ancillary equipment.
No. (15) — In order to qualify for aid on the purchase of drainage machinery, each co-operative are obliged to give a written undertaking that the machinery will be used solely for drainage in the western counties. In addition, periodic checks are made to ensure that the undertakings are being honoured.
No. (16) — Under the terms of the relevant EEC directive on which the scheme is based, the provision whereby grant-aid was allowed for the purchase of drainage machinery expired on 31 December 1980. It cannot, therefore, be extended beyond that date.
No. (17) — I do not accept the contention made in the press article referred to.
The following is the statistical statement:
(1) 33,230
(2) 1,664
(3) 21,000
(4) 14,860; £28.3m; 78,140 ha.
(6) 3,328
(8) 38 per cent
(9) 34 per cent
(10) Nil
(12) 30
(13) 29
(14) 17; grants paid £265,000; claims awaiting processing £600,000.