(forMr. Wolfe) asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries if he will state the amount of the half-yearly annuities payable by tenant purchasers which fell due on 1st June, 1932, and remained unpaid on 1st July, 1932, and if he will state how much of the half-yearly annuities which fell due on 1st June, 1931, remained unpaid on 1st July, 1931.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unpaid Land Annuities.
A sum of £699,231 remained unpaid at the 1st July, 1931, in respect of Land Purchase Annuities which accrued due on the 1st June, 1931. I am unable to give the figures asked for in the first part of the question as the accounts relating to the collection of annuities which accrued due on the 1st June, 1932, have not yet been made up.
Could the Minister state if the moneys here referred to are the moneys in respect of which he has declared a moratorium for twelve months, and if so, is any deduction being made from the Agricultural Grant in respect of these arrears for which the Government has declared a moratorium?
Some of the moneys involved may relate to these arrears in respect of which a moratorium has been granted. No arrangement has been made or is contemplated with regard to providing an increase of the Agricultural Grant.
Are we to understand that the Exchequer has already recouped itself from the Agricultural Grant in respect of the arrears for which the Government now announce they are going to give a moratorium?
That question does not arise at present.
I am not clear as to this and I should like to find out from the Minister. He has declared a moratorium in respect of certain arrears referred to in the question. I want to ask the Minister if any deduction has been made from the Agricultural Grant in respect of the arrears for which he has declared a moratorium? Has the Exchequer recouped itself out of the Agricultural Grant for the arrears for which the Government have now declared a moratorium?
They have not. There is no interference so far as the Agricultural Grant is concerned. These moneys were in respect of arrears that fell due at a particular time. These moneys have to be recouped. It is only on 31st of next January that the question will arise with regard to these arrears or of provision being made as regards the Agricultural Grant.
No deduction will be made in the Grant in respect of arrears of Land Annuities included in the moratorium?
That is not my point. My point is that that does not arise at present. When the arrears are in default the Agricultural Grant suffers, as the Deputy knows. No arrears in respect of which a moratorium is being granted will be collected until next May. That is twelve months hence. In the meantime the Agricultural Grant will suffer to an extent. I believe, on the other hand, that the Agricultural Grant will gain, because those people who are affected by this moratorium are people who we were satisfied after the fullest investigation were practically unable to meet their liabilities. We believe that the relief granted to them now will enable them to meet the current rates.
As far as I understand, the moratorium is being financed out of the Agricultural Grant. You are taking it out of one pocket and putting it into another.
That is not so.
I understand from the Minister's answer that the moratorium included sums, not all, but some sums, already deducted from past Agricultural Grants. Is it not a fact that the Government has recouped itself to some extent from the Agricultural Grant?
In the past, yes, it has done that
Up to last January?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware that the Mayo County Council have received notification that they are going to suffer to the extent of £8,000 through the moratorium?
That was before the present Government came in.