Vol. 402 No. 6
13 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of grant aid, if any, available to small slaughterhouse owners who wish to modernise their premises in accordance with the requirements of the Abattoirs Act, 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
There is no grant aid available to abattoir owners supplying the domestic meat market to upgrade their premises to the standards laid down in the Abattoirs Act, 1988 (Abattoirs) Regulations, 1989.
I am sympathetic to the position of small abattoir owners who have financial difficulty in upgrading their premises. For this reason the Abattoirs Act provides for any upgrading to be carried out gradually, if necessary, over a five year period.
Is the Minister aware that there are countless small slaughter houses throughout the country employing up to 50 people, all of which will be squeezed out of business within the final year unless some action is taken by the Minister and his colleagues to enable them to qualify for grant aid which is comparable to that available to those in the export business? Will the Minister use his influence with the Minister for Finance to ensure that EC grant aid is made available as a matter of urgency? Is the Minister really aware of the number of people who are likely to lose their jobs and the huge impact there will be in the slaughter area particularly at a time when some of the larger operators have got into difficulties?
The fundamental purpose of the abbatoir legislation which I introduced a couple of years ago was to ensure the highest standards for meat for domestic consumers, to ensure that the standards for slaughter, for health hygiene control and regulation for the domestic market would be on a par with the high standards for the export market. I presume that the Deputy and everybody else agrees that nothing short of that is acceptable in this day and age.
That was not the question.
That is the question.
It is not the question.
The Deputy is implying that because people have to measure up to our fundamental standards of health/hygiene control, they should get grant aid for it.
I am talking about equal grant aid with the large operators.
There has been no provision ever for the IDA or others to grant aid people in relation to domestic consumption in this area. That is what we are dealing with here. In terms of the cost of upgrading premises, we have shown a sympathetic approach over a period. If there are things the Minister for Finance and I can do in respect of certain allowances, I will be glad to consider them, but I do not want to give the impression that there is any question of giving grant aid.
The Minister might remember that the Abattoirs Bill was introduced in the Seanad and it got a Second Reading in this House, because the other House was indisposed. I was the spokesperson and the Minister indicated here to me, and it is on the record of the other House, that operators mentioned in Deputy Durkan's question would be aided in the event of their having to make major changes to their abattoirs or places of slaughter.
The Deputy is making a statement.
It is a fact.
Please, Deputy.
A Cheann Comhairle——
Of course you do not remember, because it does not suit you.
I do not accept that.
Look at the record, Minister.
You produce the record.
I welcome and support the Minister's continued position that the highest standards of hygiene in production are required. When might we expect the Minister to set the scale of fees required so that the inspectorate under this Act can get the payment they are entitled to and thereby take the burden from the local authorities who are at present carrying that unnecessary burden?
That is a separate matter.
Perhaps we should proceed to another question.
That is a definite question arising out of——
Question No. 14 in the name of Deputy Rabbitte.
That is a legitimate supplementary question arising out of the Minister's reply. It is exactly the same thing. We are in a situation where the Minister——
I am calling Question No. 14.
Could I be advised of the reason the Minister is not replying?
Question No. 14.
Could I be advised of the reason my question is out of order?
Please obey the Chair, Deputy.
The reason is the question relates to grant aid for abattoirs and not inspection fees for the veterinary people concerned.
Why has the Minister not set the scale of fees since the money will come in to the local authorities from that source? What is the reason?
Question No. 14 please.
