asked the Minister for Agriculture the amount paid under the programme for western development to the 12 western counties for the years 1981 and 1982; and the expected expenditure for 1983.

15.

asked the Minister for Agriculture the amount of money to date (a) contributed by the Government and (b) contributed by the EEC to the programme for western development.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.

Excluding aid for processing and marketing projects, grants paid under the Programme for Western Development in the years 1981 and 1982 totalled £6.3 million and £17.6 million respectively, of which £3.1 million and £8.7 million are the amounts recoupable from the EEC. For 1983, grants are estimated to be of the order of £19.6 million, with £9.6 million being re-imbursable by the EEC.

Funds allocated by the EEC Commission for projects related to processing and marketing amounted to £6.4 million in 1981 and £6.2 million in 1982. It is anticipated that some £5 million to £6 million will be allocated this year. The corresponding allocation from the Exchequer is about £2 million per year for the three years.