Dáil Éireann - Volume 434 - 19 October, 1993

Written Answers. - Grant Aid for Provision of Electricity.

Miss Coughlan Miss Coughlan

174. Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the number of applicants awaiting a decision in relation to grant aid for the provision of electricity to farms in western areas; whether he has now paid the ESB for sanctioned grants; when new applications will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen) Brian Cowen

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen): Schemes of grant-aid towards the cost of installation and upgrading electricity supply to farms in disadvantaged areas have been provided for over a decade, initially under the EC funded FEOGA Western Aid package and, since 1990, under the Exchequer funded Farm Electrification Grants Scheme.

When the present scheme was introduced in 1990, £500,000 was available for grant-aid. However, budgetary constraints reduced that amount to £150,000 in 1992 and 1993.

Taking the prevailing budgetary position into account, the scheme has been under review in my Department. The ESB has been paid for completions carried out under the scheme to-date in 1993, and I am currently considering the future options for the scheme.

Dáil Éireann 434 Written Answers. Grant Aid for Provision of Electricity.

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