asked the Minister for Industry and Energy whether, arising out of a reply to the effect that a departmental review was being carried out with a view to removing the minimum limit of £1,000 on cost proposals for ESB connection under the western farm package given by his predecessor on 26 January last, he is now in a position to state that this minimum limit has been removed; whether applicants who applied for assistance but who were ruled ineligible because their proposals were below the £1,000 limit, will be invited to re-apply.
Written Answers. - Western Farm Package.
968.
Following a review in my Department, it was decided to remove the £1,000 limit. Consequently, applicants previously excluded because of the limit may now re-apply for aid under the scheme. A press release to this effect was issued by the Government Information Services on 4 March 1982.
In addition, a list of the people affected by the foregoing decision is being compiled at present. When completed, within the next week or so, all applicants who were ineligible because of the £1,000 limit will be invited to re-apply. I understand from the ESB that the number of people affected was quite small, amounting to approximately 7 per cent of applications received.