asked the Minister for Energy if there has been a change in the interpretation of the EEC council regulation number 1820/80, relating to the supply of electricity to new premises on farm holdings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

My Department's approach in the interpretation of the EC Council regulation number 1820/80, relating to the supply of electricity to new premises on farm holdings, has always been to adopt the most flexible attitude possible towards the granting of aid to individuals under the scheme. Each individual case is assessed on its own merits and in line with the objectives of the Programme for Western Development on which the regulation is based.

Following their visit in April 1983, the EC auditors, whose function it is to oversee the implementation of the programme, reported that in the case of the electrification scheme the criteria for allocation of funds were unclear, and particularly questioned the provision of supply to new houses. The outcome is that, under the EC Regulation, grant assistance applies only to farms which do not have an existing electricity supply.

Can I take it that there has been a change in the regulations and that a new farmhouse, which formerly would have qualified under this scheme, no longer qualifies?

All Ministers for Energy have attempted to be as flexible as possible in the interpretation of the EC legislation in relation to this scheme. After the visit by the auditors in 1983 certain matters had to be clarified and questions were asked about the provision of supply to new houses. The present situation is that grant assistance applies only to farms which do not have an existing electricity supply.

I take it that there has been a change in the interpretation of the regulations and that where a young farmer builds a house on his own land he will not qualify if there is a supply to the farm, whereas formerly he did qualify.

The Deputy will be aware of the aims of the western package and this scheme and the provision of electricity where there is not already electricity on the farm.

My understanding was that the scheme was to encourage people to stay on the land. I understand that where a young farmer built a house on his own land he was entitled to benefit from this subsidy but that as a result of a change in interpretation this will not now happen if there is already a supply of electricity to the land. How many applications have been granted each year since the scheme was implemented?

That seems to be a separate question.

The rules which are being enforced have been in existence since 1981. The original programme which was submitted for approval to the EC states in regard to new supply that grant aid will be provided for "provision of electricity on farms not previously supplied".