asked the Minister for Agriculture what is the cause of the delay in proceeding with the extension of the tomato glass house scheme to Caheroiveen, Ballinskelligs and other areas in South Kerry, and if he is now in a position to issue a decision in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Glass House Scheme.
The delay in this matter arises from the fact that the number of suitable applicants is insufficient to enable a viable scheme to be operated. Obviously, unless there is a sufficient number of participants among whom to apportion the necessary overheads, the burden on those taking part will be unduly heavy, and I am not disposed to put the 63 eligible applicants now on our list in that unenviable position. I am prepared to proceed with the scheme should it yet be possible to obtain the requisite number of auitable participants—approximately 100—whom I would hope to have formed into a co-operative society. On this point of securing an enlarged participation in this scheme, I am in consultation with Oifig na Gaeltachta agus na gGeantar gCúng.
Would the Minister consider the feasibility of a joint scheme between that area and the almost contiguous area of Ballyferriter as a solution of the problem he has in mind?
I assure the Deputy I will consider anything, but as the Deputy from his own bitter experience knows, there is great danger that if the area to be serviced by a central packing station is unduly extended you can make the whole scheme uneconomic and deprive everybody of any benefit. Similarly, if you cannot get within a reasonable area around the central packing station a sufficient number of participants the whole thing can become uneconomic and the burden of overheads makes it inevitably bankrupt before you begin. I am trying to resolve these difficulties and if we can get 100 participants within reach of the central packing station by one method or another we will go on. I will certainly have the proposal to include Ballyferriter in the existing area considered, but the Deputy will bear in mind that that may mean a problem of spreading over too wide an area.
Is the Minister aware that applicants from outside districts— I mean areas as far away as Sneem and Glencar—30 or 40 miles from the Fíor-Ghaeltacht, applied and were excluded at one time? Would it not be more feasible to include those applicants who were turned down on that occasion than to suggest including Ballyferriter or any other district? My point is that the area of South Kerry which this scheme was to serve is still under consideration and the applicants who were turned down on the grounds that it would be uneconomic to have people residing 40 miles from the——
That is hardly a question, Deputy.
I would be glad if the Minister would now consider that, because that in itself would make the scheme economic.
I am painfully aware, Deputy, that this is one of the many perplexities that have been bequeathed to me by my immediate predecessor, and the Deputy is well aware that he has been wrangling on this topic with my predecessor for three years. He now expects me to resolve it in three months. I hope not to disappoint the Deputy.