asked the Minister for Agriculture the measures he plans to take to encourage uptake of funds under the western package provisions for commonage division fencing and pasture improvements, which were aimed at 4,600 farmers dividing and fertilising 148,000 acres, and under which, out of a total of £16.8 million provided over ten years, to date a mere £45,512 has been paid in grants towards the completion of 39 schemes involving 70 farmers and 500 acres; in particular, if he agrees that it is disturbing that no application has been received from counties Cavan, Leitrim, Longford and Monaghan, while only three applications have been received from farmers in Roscommon; and if he agrees that it is a matter of urgency to take steps to promote the scheme.
Written Answers. - Western Package.
808.
This scheme came into operation in 1981 and has been well publicised. To date, 5,816 hectares of commonage have been legally divided but the situation in regard to the carrying out of follow-up work — fencing, reclamation etc. — by the owners of the divided plots is not satisfactory. The potential for commonage division in the counties mentioned by the Deputy is less than in other parts of the west and a lower uptake is accordingly not surprising. The programme under which the western package operates is due for review next year in consultation with the EC Commission and opportunity will be taken to introduce any changes considered necessary to make the overall implementation of the package more effective.