Vol. 435 No. 10
140 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the position regarding the current scheme of grants for ESB installation to farm buildings which is grant aided from the ESB by 40 per cent, 40 per cent from his Department and 20 per cent by the applicant; if this scheme is in operation; and if the grants due to the ESB over the past year and a half have been paid.
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 Packages, and, since 1990, under the Exchequer funded farm electrification grant scheme. This scheme provides grant aid of 20 per cent from the Exchequer, 60 per cent from the ESB, and leaves 20 per cent to be paid by approved applicants.
I expect the review of the scheme, which has been underway in my Department for some time, to conclude shorly. The ESB has been paid for completions carried out this year, up to the end of August.
