Vol. 338 No. 4
asked the Minister for Agriculture if instructions have been issued to the farm development service not to process any applications from farmers for drainage grants under the western drainage scheme (western package) received after September 1981; and, if so, the reason.
359.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if the acreage specified for grant aided drainage under the western drainage scheme (western package) is adequate to meet the applications already submitted by farmers to his Department; if not, the number of applications received that cannot now be accommodated; and the total acreage involved.
360.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the steps he has taken to get a further extension of the acreage sanctioned by the EEC for grant aiding for drainage under the western drainage scheme (western package) so that the applications of all farmers and potential new applications can be met.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 358, 359 and 360 together.
Grant aid of 70 per cent of the estimated cost is provided under the Western Drainage Scheme for a total of 150,000 hectares, the limit set by the EEC which meets 50 per cent of the cost of the scheme. Applications under the scheme are dealt with in order of receipt. Since it would appear that sufficient applications had been received by 30 September 1981 to absorb the 150,000 hectares provided, the local Farm Development Service Offices were instructed to defer the processing of applications received after that date pending clarification of the situation.
About 5,000 applications covering approximately 25,000 hectares have been received subsequent to 30 September 1981. Consideration is being given to the question of how best to provide for these but as only one half of the 150,000 hectares authorised by the EEC has so far been completed, it would be premature at this stage to seek a further extension.
