asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that under the scheme for the building of houses for small farmers whose poor law valuation does not exceed £5, the Donegal County Manager refuses to build such houses unless an applicant's income is derived mainly from farming; and if in view of the fact that a farmer with a poor law valuation of £5 or less could not possibly derive his livelihood mainly from farming he will take action to amend the operation of the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing of Small Farmers.
72.
As indicated in the recent White Paper on Housing, the special scheme referred to will apply to persons who are in occupation of agricultural holdings, the valuation of which does not exceed £5, and who obtain a substantial proportion of their livelihood from their holdings. This would not preclude from benefit small farmers, the valuation of whose holdings is £5 or less and who supplement their income otherwise than from their holdings. Donegal County Council have already been informed to this effect.
Will the Minister clarify the position in so far as the earnings of the farmer are to be mainly from agricultural employment? As the Minister will realise, the farmer on a farm with £5 valuation could not possibly have his earnings mainly derived from agricultural employment.
He could—on somebody else's farm, as is very often the case.
Suppose he takes up employment as a casual road labourer to supplement his earnings from his farm with a poor law valuation of less than £5, would he qualify?
In most cases, I think he would.
I am very grateful to the Minister for his reply.