asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will make an up-to-date progress report on the western farm package, indicating how many applicants to date have sought aids for (a) physical improvement of farm; (b) pasture improvement, including privately owned and commonage land; (c) afforestation and shelter belt grants; (d) electricity supply and (e) piped water connections and when the proposed programme of training colleges for advisers under the package will be implemented.
Written Answers. - Western Farm Package.
The information is as follows:
Position as at 30 April 1982
No. of Applications |
|
Land Improvement |
|
Mountain and hill grazing |
1121 |
Pasture improvement |
|
Lowland reclamation |
4247 |
Division of commonage |
102 (728 co-owners) |
Orientation of Production |
This element of the programme is not yet in operation because of industrial action by the Irish Agricultural Advisers Organisation. |
Electricity Supplies to Farms |
|
New supplies |
841 |
Improved supplies |
522 |
3 phase supplies |
30 |
Marketing and processing plants |
8 |
Private Group Water Schemes |
7438 (including 5792 farms) |
Afforestation |
119 (cases where advisory inspections were requested) |
Shelter Belt Scheme |
Details only announced in February last. Planting season will not begin until October. |
Agricultural Education |
|
Under Construction |
3 training centres |
At Planning Stage |
6 training centres |
2 Agricultural Colleges and Western Resource Centre, Athenry |