Dinny McGinley
Question:188 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the present position regarding the farm electrification grant scheme; and if new applications are being accepted and approved.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
Schemes of grant-aid towards the cost of installation and upgrading electricity supply to farms in disadvantaged areas have been provided for over a decade, initially under the EC funded FEOGA Western Aid package and, since 1990, under the Exchequer funded farm electrification grants scheme.
When the present scheme was introduced in 1990, £500,000 was available for grant-aid. However, budgetary constraints reduced that amount to £150,000 in 1992 and 1993.
Taking the prevailing budgetary position into account, the scheme has been under review in my Department. I am currently considering the future options for the scheme.
Dinny McGinley
Question:189 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications when a grant already approved since April 1993 under the farm electrification grant scheme will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal.
The application in question was approved in my Department earlier this year. It is expected that the ESB will be in a position to provide supply in the near future.