asked the Minister for Agriculture if in view of the number of dwelling-houses and out-offices on agricultural holdings in bad condition, and in order to encourage farmers to repair and reconstruct these premises, he is prepared to extend the Farm Improvement Scheme to cover 60 per cent. of the approved estimated cost of the labour required.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Improvement Scheme.
I am not prepared to extend the scheme on the lines suggested by the Deputy. The repair and reconstruction of dwelling-houses and out-offices is not a matter for my Department.
I take it that the Minister is refusing to do as requested?
Yes. It is not a matter for my Department.
Does the Minister not realise that on poor holdings the tenants are not able to carry out repairs of this sort? On many farmsteads the dwelling houses and out-offices are in a bad condition. It would be a gieat benefit if the scheme could be extended to cover such holdings, and besides being a profitable source of employment, it would be of great benefit to agriculturists generally.