asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will increase the amount of the grants under the land reclamation project in order to permit the payment of an improved rate of wages to the workers employed on schemes under the project.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Reclamation Grants.
Grants-in-Aid of land project work are based on two-thirds of the estimated cost of work and materials, subject to a maximum grant of £30 per statute acre. This is, I think, substantial and generous assistance, and it is not proposed to increase it.
Will the Minister agree that there has been no increase in the amount allocated since the scheme was initiated?
I would not be prepared to say that, but really, I think that the present basis may fairly be described as substantial and generous.