asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that farmers who installed rotary pumps are being refused the necessary assistance from his Department, and if he will have this situation remedied at the earliest possible date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Installation of Rotary Pumps.
Mr. Flynn
I presume the Deputy is referring to manually operated pumps, which are not eligible for grant under the scheme for water supplies to farm dwellings. If that is so, I would like to assure him that my aim in introducing the scheme was the elimination of so much labour and effort in farm households, caused by the lack of a water tap in the kitchen. Were I to approve grants towards the cost of manual pumps, I feel I would be promoting the substitution of one form of unnecessary and time-consuming drudgery for another, instead of providing a cheap mechanical method of replacing manual labour. The State is prepared to make a very liberal contribution towards the cost of putting running water in the farmer's kitchen and it should not tax his resources unduly to install mechanical pumps instead of hand pumps.
Is the Minister aware that, in the original pamphlet which was issued in regard to this scheme, provision was made for manual pumps?
I am not so aware, but if it were, even Homer may sometimes nod.