asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (a) the number of applications for grants under the farm improvements scheme received by his Department from farmers resident in County Wexford between April 1st, 1948, and February 1st of this year; (b) the number referred to inspectors for report; (c) the number of schemes approved and of which the applicants were notified, and (d) the total value by way of grant of the schemes for which notification of approval has been given.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Improvements Scheme.
(a) The farm improvements scheme for 1948-49 was announced on the 3rd July, 1948, and applications were required to be lodged with my Department by the 19th July, 1948. In that period 594 applications were received from farmers resident in County Wexford; (b) all these 594 applications were referred to the Department's local officers for report; (c) up to last Saturday, the 12th February, 130 of the County Wexford applicants under the 1948-49 scheme had been authorised to proceed with their works; further authorisations are being issued as fast as the staff assigned to the work can deal with them; (d) the total amount of the grants covered by the works so authorised in County Wexford is approximately £1,860.
Is it not a fact that only four approvals were notified to County Wexford before I put down that question within the last ten days?
I am not informed on that subject, but I freely concede to the Deputy that there has been delay in this matter which was not anticipated and which will not recur. It arose from a diversion of the staff charged with the responsibility of sending out these notifications and approvals to other urgent work in the month of December.
More unanswered letters.
There has been undoubted delay in this matter, and I have informed the Deputy that it occurred as a result of special circumstances which will not recur.
It served the purpose. It saved money.
Every penny provided for this purpose will be expended, and far more.
Will the Minister state if it is a fact that the money provided by the Oireachtas for the farm improvements scheme was diverted to other purposes and that it is not available for what it was intended for by the Dáil?
Though that is quite another question, there is, as far as I know, no foundation whatever for that suggestion.
It will not be spent this year. It will be saved.
It will and a good deal more.
It will balance the Budget.