Cecilia Keaveney
Question:291 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when a decision will be made in relation to the provision of an artificial insemination centre (details supplied) in County Donegal. [18529/96]
Written Answers. - Artificial Insemination Centre.
I assume that the Question refers to the availability of grants for the development of artificial breeding techniques in equines under the Operational Programme for Agricultural, Rural Development and Forestry 1994-99. In view of the limited funding available under this scheme and the need to ensure a suitable geographic spread of centres, applications were invited from interested parties for consideration. A total of 33 applications were received including one from the organisation referred to by the Deputy. The applications will be now evaluated by an expert working group within my Department and the applications will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter. In the course of examining the applications my officials may arrange meetings with the applicants in order to clarify aspects of individual applications.