asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that farmers, due to financial constraints, are unable to comply with the current instructions of his Department's offices who inspected their farms surveying pollution; and if he will review the guidelines being issued.
Written Answers. - Pollution Control.
133.
The surveys of farms referred to by the Deputy are being conducted by local authorities in conjunction with fisheries boards and the farm development service in response to a request I made to county managers in November last. It is a matter for the local authority concerned to decide on the measures to be taken to deal with any inadequacies in pollution prevention arrangements identified during the course of the surveys.
Financial assistance for effluent storage facilities is already available to certain categories of farmers. To further assist farmers implement pollution control measures, a scheme of grants is to be introduced by the Minister for Agriculture and Food under the revised western package arrangements.
134.
asked the Minister for the Environment if his Department's officers have completed the scheme to assist stage 2 of the Lissycasey group water scheme, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The present position is that the Lissycasey group are examining a number of options to improve the supply of water to their scheme. Further developments must await the outcome of this examination.