asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason a farm modernisation scheme grant under the old scheme was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal as the application was received by his Department on 11 January 1983 but the inspector did not call until 1 February 1983 when the applicant was not at home, the next visit was made on 10 February 1983 by which time the scheme had been suspended, i.e. more than four weeks after the application had been submitted; and if he agrees that his Department has an obligation to approve payment of a grant in this case.
Written Answers. - Farm Modernisation Scheme Grant.
532.
Mr. Coughlan
While an application for grant aid was received on 11 January 1983 it was not processed and approved before the suspension with effect from 10 February 1983 of grant aid under the farm modernisation scheme for farm buildings and fixed assets. An interval of four weeks between the date of application and the issue of an approval was not unduly long in the circumstances prevailing at that time.
A further application was received on 18 January 1984, i.e. after the introduction of the revised scheme. It was found on inspection that an unroofed silo and cattle crush had already been constructed and so could not be considered for grant aid but proposed works involving a slatted beef house, concrete yard and holding pen were approved and a grant will be paid for these when they have been satisfactorily completed, provided the other conditions of the scheme have been complied with.