asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether occupiers of county council cottages are eligible for a grant for the erection of poultry houses and, if not, whether he will consider bringing them within the scope of the scheme so that they may play their part in the drive for increased production of eggs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grants for Poultry Houses.
Such occupiers are eligible for grants for chicken houses, and for hovers or brooder heaters. These grants are being paid by the county committees of agriculture out of funds allocated to them by my Department under the poultry development scheme. Grants for poultry houses for adult birds under that scheme are being given only to persons who keep approved hatching egg supply farms and to pedigree poultry breeders.
Under the farm buildings scheme grants for the erection of poultry houses for flocks of not less than 50 adult birds are also available to the rated occupiers of holdings devoted solely or mainly to agriculture, preference being given to applicants who earn their living solely or mainly by farming.