Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 22 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 6

Written Answers. - Agricultural Schemes.

Brendan McGahon

Ceist:

29 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he will announce the date for the new farm waste management grants and dairy hygiene grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17780/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, provision is made for a farm waste management scheme and a scheme for the improvement of dairy hygiene standards. A significant level of funding amounting to some £217 million has been allocated for these measures.

These on-farm investment measures will form part of the new regional operational programmes for the Border, midland and western region and the southern and eastern region. Clearance to proceed requires the approval of the European Commission. The broad clearance procedure is already well under way, as negotiations with the European Commission on the community support framework for Ireland, necessary to draw down the EU element of the funds, have recently been completed.

In addition, the various operational programmes required have recently been finalised and submitted to the Commission. The further negotiation process in respect of the regional operational programmes will follow and there is a formal EU Commission procedure for the approval of operational programmes. The procedure is complex and involves the provision of a considerable amount of documentation and detail. As this is likely to continue over a number of months, it is not possible to indicate at this stage, when any of the schemes involved will commence. The Deputy can be assured that I will be doing all I can to ensure that approval is forthcoming in the shortest possible time.

In that regard, while the EU Commission procedure is in train, work on preparing the operational parameters of the schemes is proceeding. It is intended that the practical aspects of the design of the schemes will be completed so as to coincide with the issue of approval by the Commission, which will enable the prompt roll out and commencement of implementation. Every effort is being made to ensure that the new schemes are up and running as early as possible.

In the meantime, the national schemes for the control of farm pollution and improvement in dairy hygiene standards will remain in operation and open to applications. Farmers approved under these schemes will, over the summer months and beyond, continue with construction works and receive grant payments as the works are completed.