asked the Minister for Finance if it is intended to start work this year on the Owenmore and Arrow arterial drainage scheme, County Sligo; and, if not, when work will commence.
Written Answers. - Arterial Drainage Schemes.
45.
As the design of an arterial drainage scheme for the Owenmore and Arrow river catchment is not expected to be completed until 1989 the question of works commencing this year does not arise. Pending the completion of the design, cost/benefit analysis and environmental studies it is not possible to give any commitment as to when a scheme for the catchment might commence.
46.
asked the Minister for Finance in view of that fact that EC funds available for arterial drainage schemes have expired, if the Government have made application for further aid; if so, if he will give the rate of recoupment from the EC to the Government for work done; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under Directives 78/628/EEC (extended by Council Regulation 2195/81) and 79/197/EEC, 50 per cent of eligible expenditure on arterial drainage schemes in the western and cross-Border regions respectively, up to a total grant limit of £18 million could be recouped from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund during the period of the measures. The schemes which benefitted were the Corrib-Mask-Robe, Boyle, Bonet and Blackwater (Monaghan).
In addition grants amounting to 30 per cent of eligible expenditure from 1 April 1979 on the Boyne and Maigue schemes which have now been completed were recoverable from the European Regional Development Fund. A total of almost £28 million has been received from these funds.
An application for further EC funds for the cross-Border drainage programme has been made but requires further consideration. Applications for further extensions to the western programme were rejected by the EC.