asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of farmers in County Sligo who applied for grants under the western drainage scheme since its inception; the number of those applicants who have been paid, excluding those who applied under the EMS arrangement and whose approvals were re-assessed under the western drainage scheme; if applications by farmers in County Sligo who indicated that they were prepared to start work without delay during 1980 have been given priority; if any application made in 1980 has yet been inspected in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

1416 applications have been received to date, and payment has been made in a total of 154 cases. Since no distinction was made between new applications and re-applications by farmers who had been issued approvals under the farm modernisation scheme but had not commenced the work, a breakdown of the latter figure on the lines requested is not available.

Whilst priority is being given to the large volume of applications received in 1979 a limited number of 1980 applications have been approved in special circumstances.