asked the Minister for Agriculture if any EEC drainage schemes are intended for land in South West Cork in the near future, and if so, the areas to be drained.

The new EEC scheme for the acceleration of drainage in the West of Ireland applies to those parts of West Cork designated as disadvantaged under EEC Council Directive 75/272. I am sending the Deputy a list of the areas covered.

Is it not true that apart from works under the grant scheme, no major schemes, other than on the Bandon and the Lee, are being proceeded with in West Cork?

The areas designated under Directive 252 will benefit as far as field drainage is concerned. The Robe, Mask, Boyle and Bonnet will come under arterial drainage. That work will be carried out by the Office of Public Works. There is nothing to stop West Cork farmers from carrying out field drainage within the areas designated.

Would this involve individuals on a private basis going ahead with such schemes?

It involves individuals of groups of farmers making applications. We have been recommending that groups of farmers would organise and apply for work to be done taking in bigger areas. That would be more advantageous than to have individual farmers applying, because groups of farmers would be able to make better and more efficient use of machinery.

Is anything being done to encourage farmers to come together for this purpose?

It is being done through the co-ops who have offered their full support for efforts to get farmers to apply in groups.

6.

asked the Minister for Agriculture (1) the number of applications received in each office for grants under the new western drainage scheme; (2) the percentage of drainage grants and reclamation grants which will qualify for the scheme; and (3) the number of these applications processed to date.

The total number of applications received under the scheme to date is approximately 10,500. With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate detailed particulars in the Official Report.

The processing of applications is at present being carried out but due to the recent inclement weather the necessary field inspections have been unavoidably delayed. It is accordingly not possible to give the qualifying percentage requested. However, it is considered that the scheme, which covers drainage and necessary ancillary operations will accommodate the vast majority of land improvement projects being undertaken in the western counties. Following are the detailed particulars:

Western Drainage Scheme (Field Drainage) Position on 23rd February, 1979