Vol. 485 No. 3
179 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he intends to introduce a package of grant assistance comparable with schemes which operate to the 60 per cent assistance available for the construction of slatted shed developments which will allow small farmers to diversify away from intensive farming practices. [23351/97]
Grant aid of 60 per cent of approved costs was available to small and medium sized farmers under the control of farm pollution scheme for the construction of farm buildings and storage facilities with the primary objective of minimising pollution. The scheme which is one of the sub-measures under the Operational Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development was suspended on the 27 April 1995 as the levels of demand had exceeded the Structural Funding available. The limited funding provided in the Mid-Term Review of Structural Funds was only sufficient to meet the existing over-run on the scheme.
180 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a grant was paid under the control of farmyard pollution scheme to persons (details supplied) in County Sligo; if so, the total amount approved; whether all or part of these approved payments have been made to date; and the conditions attached to these payments. [23352/97]
Grants totalling £51,949 have been paid to the applicants concerned being the full and final amounts due. Applicants grant aided under the scheme undertake not to spread farm waste between 1 November and 31 January and must undertake to empty their storage tanks by 31 October each year.
