Vol. 541 No. 2
297 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will take action regarding the non-availability of funds for the payment of grants under the farm pollution scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21315/01]
The national scheme for the control of farm pollution, now replaced by the new farm waste management scheme, was extremely successful and uptake exceeded all expectations. The problem is not the unavailability of funds but that the EU-imposed ceiling for expenditure under this scheme has been reached. My Department has applied to the EU Commission to formally raise the ceiling and a number of payments under the scheme, including payment to the person mentioned in the question, has been delayed pending receipt of this formal approval. Following recent discussions between my Department and the European Commission a positive response is expected very shortly. All payments will issue immediately approval is received.
