Vol. 457 No. 7
288 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has regarding the sanctioning and payment of grants to all farm building grant applicants who lodged their applications prior to the introduction of the embargo on these grants by his Department. [15913/95]
The only scheme to which the embargo on applications applies is the scheme for the control of farm pollution. I have recently instructed that applications received in January should be processed and later applications will be processed on a monthly basis.
Payments of grants depend on applicants completing the approved works to specifications. All claims for payment received by Payments Section up to 27 October 1995 have been paid.
289 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason a farm improvement programme which was to remain in place for horticulture is not being implemented six months after its announcement by his Department. [15980/95]
The farm improvement programme was suspended for all enterprises from 9 December 1994.
A new farm improvement programme, for horticulture, was subsequently submitted to the Commission and approved by the Agriculture Structures Committees (STAR] on 26 October 1995.
