Vol. 494 No. 4
219 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has in relation to restoring the control of farmyard pollution scheme; if he will ensure that adequate funding is provided in the 1998 budget to allow it to recommence in view of its vital importance to the agricultural industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18709/98]
Some £129 million has been made available under the current Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry for the control of farm pollution scheme which has been fully utilised. This includes additional funding of over £32 million provided since June 1997 of which £12.5 million is from National Exchequer funds. The additional funding has been used to cover existing commitments under the scheme.
There are currently no funds available to restore this scheme in 1998. However, I regard the scheme as high priority and I am continuing to pursue the question of funding to enable its reintroduction in a more focused way.
