asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of applications received in 1980 under the western drainage scheme; and the number sanctioned.
Written Answers. - Western Drainage Scheme.
160.
The number of applications received under the Western Drainage Scheme in 1980 was 8,207. While priority is being given to the large volume of applications received in 1979 a limited number of 1980 applications have been approved in special circumstances. It is expected that the 1979 applications will be cleared shortly when the processing of the main volume of the 1980 applications can be dealt with.
161.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that an application by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon for a western drainage grant which was made in January 1980 has not yet been processed or an estimate provided; that this and similar cases will result in applicants having to incur greater costs because of inflation than if their applications had been processed 12 months ago; if he will now state when approval will be given for work to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Due to the generous level of grant-aid under the Western Drainage Scheme there has been an unprecedented volume of applications to be processed. These are being dealt with in order of receipt. Over 75 per cent of all applications were received in 1979 — the first year of operation of the scheme — and the processing of these is now nearing completion. The processing of the 1980 applications will then be pursued as quickly as possible.