asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will re-examine the heifer subsidy scheme with a view to introducing a calf subsidy scheme on the same lines as in Northern Ireland so that it might be of greater benefit to the small farmer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Calf Subsidy Scheme.
140.
The question of a calf subsidy and of other possible alternative schemes was fully examined before the scheme of grants for calved heifers was introduced. The conclusion reached was that the heifer scheme was the most effective and practicable method of achieving the objective of a progressive increase in the number of breeding stock and consequently in our cattle output. Increase in cow numbers since the scheme was introduced show that decision to have been right and it is not proposed to adopt an alternative scheme at this stage.
Would the Minister not agree there are still very many small farmers who did not get anything out of the large amount of money spent? A farmer might be lucky enough to buy a heifer and get £15, but it might be five years before he would get anything again. We have farmers who have been——
The Deputy is making a speech, not asking a question.
There are farmers who might get up to 70 £15 grants. Those small farmers for whom this scheme was really intended have got practically nothing out of it.
The average grant per herd owner has been £43 over the whole country so the clear indication from the statistics which we have compiled is that, in the main. it is the small herd owners who are availing of these cattle grants.
Does the Minister not agree that Deputy McLaughlin has a good case and one worth looking into?
A scheme such as that in operation in Northern Ireland. where a limited number of calves would qualify for a subsidy and then after that, no matter how many applied, you could not qualify them.
I do not think any change to a calf scheme would change in any way the administration of the scheme in favour of the small farmer. I think the calf scheme would operate more or less in exactly the same way in relation to the large versus small farmer as the heifer scheme. There would also be enormous disadvantages in the operation of a calf scheme. I think it is quite clear from the figures that the heifer scheme has achieved exactly what we intended it to do.
Full stop.
Our cow numbers were stationary at 1,100,000. At June last year they were up to 1,533,000 and they are still going up. I think that is the best possible justification for the heifer scheme.
Would the Minister not agree that every small farmer would benefit by this subsidy I have mentioned? At the moment one farmer may get say 70, 80 or 90 heifers whilst some of the farmers amongst whom I live in North Leitrim have been lucky enough to qualify for £15 but may not do so again for another four years.
I am afraid the Deputy is making a speech.