Mildred Fox
Question:152 Miss Fox asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has to replace or reinstate the control of farm pollution grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11271/98]
Written Answers. - Control of Farm Pollution Scheme.
There are no funds available to re-open the control of farm pollution scheme at this stage, which was suspended to new applicants with effect from 27 April 1995. Total extra funds of £32.5 million have been made available for this scheme, £20 million from the mid-term review of the Structural Funds and £12.5 million from national Exchequer funds as part of the 1997 Supplementary Estimate. All of these funds are being spent on existing liabilities maturing in 1997 and 1998.
The position on overall funding under the Structural Funds is being kept under constant review and, in the event that additional funds become available as a result of decommitments on projects in the community support framework, I will be pressing that the scheme be given priority in the distribution of such funds.