asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the current subsidies payable per unit of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to fertiliser manufacturers and consumers in respect of fertilisers produced and used in the State.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fertiliser Subsidies.
6.
The unit rates of subsidy payable on fertilisers are:
Water soluble phosphorus—
14/- per unit of phosphorus.
Citrate soluble phosphorus—
10/6 per unit of phosphorus.
Citric acid soluble phosphorus—
10/- per unit of phosphorus.
Citrate insoluble phosphorus—
5/6 per unit of phosphorus.
Potassium — 2/- per unit of
potassium.
Nitrogen — No subsidy.
Payment of subsidy is made to manufacturers, compounders and importers who are required to pass on the subsidies in full to their customers and to show the amount of the subsidy on their invoices.
Would the Minister consider that possibly people might be encouraged to use more fertilisers if they felt the subsidy was going directly to them rather than to the manufacturers, even if they appreciated the fact that the subsidy is shown on the invoices? They would be like the housewife who feels she is getting something for nothing; they might be tempted to buy more and use more.
We could always make the pack bigger with less in it. It might help. However, it is a thought we have been looking into.