asked the Minister for Finance why it has been found necessary to suspend the issuing of forms of application for rural improvement schemes grants; how long the suspension has been in operation; and for how long it will continue.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Improvement Schemes Grants.
52.
It was decided to suspend the acceptance of new applications for a limited period so as to allow time to reduce the arrears of applications which had accumulated despite the substantial increase in the annual provision for the schemes in recent years. The suspension came into operation on 9th August, 1965; it will be removed as soon as possible, but I cannot yet give a precise date.
I found it very difficult to hear the Parliamentary Secretary. Am I correct in believing that he confirms that there is a suspension?
There is, yes.
That it came into operation last August and that he does not know when it will be removed?
That is correct.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary give the reasons for the suspension?
The build-up of applications is sufficient to enable them to carry on for at least 12 months.
They are broke, in other words.
Would it be correct to say that the number of applications has increased and that there is a shortage of money?
The allocation for this year is greater than it ever was.
(Interruptions.)
But there are 1,678 applications in hand which have to be dealt with first. That will be sufficient to carry us through the year 1966-67 and it would be very unfair to applicants to accept applications from them now when we could not cater for them until after that time.
Is it not a fact that the number of applications for rural improvement schemes have increased by directive of the Special Employment Schemes Office who inform applicants for minor improvement grants that they do not qualify for such grants but that they may qualify for a rural improvement scheme grant and request them to apply for a rural improvement grant?
No. The inference the Deputy draws is hardly consequent on advice given to applicants.
Can the Ceann Comhairle say if there is a microphone on the Parliamentary Secretary's table?
A Deputy
There is, but he has it covered with papers.
(Cavan): If the Parliamentary Secretary has not sufficient staff to deal with the number of applications he has received, would he not consider getting sufficient staff?
It is not a question of staff.
Hear, hear. It is not a question of staff. The truth is that you have not sixpence and you might as well admit it.
(Interruptions.)
(Cavan): If it is not a question of staff, what is the trouble?
I am delighted to see the fraud, the dishonest, hypocritical fraud, exposed.
(Interruptions.)
As soon as Deputy Dillon has finished, I want to say that there are almost 1,700 applications that have been accepted and those must be cleared first.
And there is not money to pay for them.
There is more money than there has ever been.
Might I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he is aware that this is a matter on which Deputies are frequently consulted by constituents and it is necessary that we should be put in the picture and should have some idea when the suspension is likely to end?
I have been trying to do that in rather difficult circumstances.
May we take it from what the Parliamentary Secretary said that no new applications will be accepted before the end of 1967?
I did not say that. I said that there were sufficient applications on hands already to fill that period but I did not say that new applications would be suspended until that time.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary did say it was not a question of money and it is not a question of staff. Why are they held up?
It is a question of the volume of applications.
(Interruptions.)
Why should he be harried for what the rest of them did?
Could the Parliamentary Secretary not make a public statement telling people who are looking for these grants that they are wasting their time making application?
Deputies
Put him off.
It will take more than a Fianna Fáil referee to put him off.
Could there not be a public statement that this scheme is no longer functioning?