asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (a) the allowance per acre granted for planting new shelter belts and clearing such belts; (b) the rate of agricultural wages on which this allowances was based; and (c) if he is prepared, in view of the increase in agricultural wages, to increase this allowance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Planting of Shelter Belts.
A shelter belt scheme. designed to encourage the general practice of planting small plots of trees in wind-swept areas, is operated by most committees of agriculture. Each farmer who plants trees under this scheme receives from the committee of agriculture a contribution towards the actual cost of the trees and, in some cases, of the necessary fencing, or is supplied with the trees at reduced cost. A small scheme on similar lines is operated directly by my Department in certain parts of the Gaeltacht. Provision is not made under either of these schemes for the giving of allowances of the kind referred to in the question.