asked the Minister for Energy if he is aware that there appears to be an over-rigid assessment of the rights of applicants for ESB connection in rural areas to payment of EC grants towards installation costs, resulting in their being denied these grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
4.
The western package electrification scheme is governed by Regulation (EEC) No. 1820/80 and is in accordance with the programme approved by the EC Commission in April 1981. Determination of eligibility must be in accordance with the EC Regulation and the programme. Assessment of applicants' eligibility must be on a basis which will ensure that both State and EC funds are directed into those areas of agriculture which the scheme is designed to assist.
I am satisfied that there is not an over-rigid assessment of applicants' eligibility for grant aid under the scheme. However, my attention has been drawn to two areas of difficulties which arose in the operation of the scheme over the past four years. One of these is certain cases where a second dwelling house is built on a farm which already has an electricity connection and the second is cases where the owner of a farm has his sole income from the farm but is in receipt of "farmers' dole" or other social welfare benefit. I am putting forward proposals to the EC Commission which may enable such applicants to qualify for benefit in certain circumstances.
When an application for a supply of electricity to a second family dwelling arose in the past did the people — mainly young people — not qualify? Why was there a change in this regulation?
What the Deputy says is correct. Up to the end of 1983 a new supply was considered to be supply to any previously unsupplied building on the farm, so as the Deputy is saying, in the case of a new house, a second house on the farm up to 1983, grants were given. However, in April 1983 a team from the EC Court of Auditors examined the scheme and, following their visit, they stated in their report that the allocation of funds for a new supply was not fulfilling the objective of the scheme. In response to that, the supply of electricity to second homes on farms was not grant-aided subsequently. As I said in my reply to the question, I have applied to put proposals to the Commission so that such applicants may qualify because of the obvious hardship being caused.
Will the Minister agree that the person who occupies the second family dwelling is as much engaged in agriculture as his parents if he is living on their farm? Will the Minister not agree that this should be speeded up to allow any person engaged in agriculture to avail of the subsidy for electricity?
I find myself in agreement with the Deputy and being, like him, from a rural constituency, I understand the difficulties which we are having with the implementation of this scheme. That is why I have put proposals back to the EC Commission so that the second house belonging to a family on a farm will qualify for a grant on getting a new supply of electricity.
When?
I would say that it will be a matter of months before we have any information from the EC Commission.