Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Apr 1983

Vol. 341 No. 7

Written Answers . - Local Improvements Scheme .

594.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that many local improvement scheme applicants in the west of Ireland were unable to proceed with their applications in 1982 due to the introduction of the minimum 10 per cent contribution requirement; whether this requirement will be dropped in 1983; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

: The local improvements scheme was adapted in 1981 to take account of EEC aid available under the western package for farm roads. EEC Regulation 1820/80 stipulates that local landholders must contribute at least 10 per cent of the cost of eligible farm road projects. It is considered that this requirement is not open to renegotiation.

In order to avail of the EEC aid to the maximum extent possible, it was necessary in 1982 to require the county councils concerned to devote over 90 per cent of their allocations under the local improvements scheme to farm road projects eligible for EEC aid. I am aware that, as a result, instances have arisen where other farm road projects could not be undertaken because the applicants concerned were not able to contribute a minimum of 10 per cent of the cost.

The arrangements made for the local improvements scheme in 1983 enable some £646,000 to be spent on non-EEC work in western counties compared with £277,000 in 1982. This money may, for example, be spent on farm road projects where payment of the 10 per cent minimum contribution would constitute a hardship.

Top
Share