asked the Minister for Agriculture when an application for work under the Western Drainage Scheme will be considered for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Drainage.
19.
This applicant has already received grant-aid under the Western Drainage Scheme for drainage carried out in 1980 and 1982. A third application was received from him on 11 May 1982. However, it would appear that sufficient applications were received up to 30 September 1981 to absorb the 150,000 hectares approved by the EEC which meets 50 per cent of the cost of the scheme. It has been decided to defer processing of applications received after that date to enable the situation to be reviewed.
20.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the cause of the long delay in issuing a certificate of grant approval under the Western Drainage Scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in respect of work which he has undertaken following a verbal approval.
Because of the very large number of applications under the Western Drainage Scheme and the limited area provided for, applications were dealt with strictly in order of receipt. On this basis an approval was issued to the person named on 24 March 1982. The local Farm Development Service office has not been notified that the work has been completed.
Mr. Leonard
Is the Minister aware that there is a delay of practically two years in all counties under that scheme at present? What is the position regarding future funding for that scheme?
I do not want to interrupt the Deputy, but this refers to a specific grant.
Mr. Leonard
It is about western drainage.
Yes, but it refers to a specific grant under the Western Drainage Scheme.
At the moment a review is in progress to find out how many applications are in with the farm development offices around the country, and this is to be completed before the last day of March. We will be able to assess what is to happen after that.
21.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if priority will be given to the drainage of the River Flesk under the Western Drainage Scheme, in accordance with an application received in the Killarney farm development scheme office, County Kerry; and if a survey will be carried out urgently in this case.
An application for the drainage of this river under the Western Drainage Scheme was received on 22 October, 1982.
Applications under the Western Drainage Scheme are being processed strictly in order of receipt. Present indications are that sufficient applications were received up to 30 September 1981 to absorb the 150,000 hectares approved by the EEC which meets 50 per cent of the cost of the scheme. It was decided early last year to defer the processing of applications received after that date to enable the situation to be reviewed.