asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will consider making grants under the milk cooler scheme available to all farmers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Cooler Grants.
6.
I do not see any need to extend the scope of the present scheme, under which it is estimated that the vast majority of creamery milk suppliers will be eligible for grants. The large-scale suppliers do not need a scheme of this sort.
May I assume from the Minister's reply that his Department are confining this grant to milk suppliers with less than 7,000 gallons of milk? Surely that is a new innovation in so far as his Department are concerned and one that should be done away with? Is the Minister prepared to reconsider this matter which results in the rejection of all creamery milk from farmers who supply more than 7,000 gallons of milk to creameries and whose valuation does not exceed £25 and even those with valuations less than £25 with more than 7,000 gallons? That is how the Minister is going to deal with our agricultural production.
In reply to the Deputy, he may have his view, but that is the case. I put it another way: the Department, through the generosity of the Government, have money to provide these grants for the first time to the people I have indicated.
Would the Minister reconsider then changing the figures by moving them upwards—£25 valuation and 10,000 gallons at least?
I have the figures on which this was worked out and, of approximately 110,000 suppliers who might be in need of these coolers, it was estimated that approximately 90,000 will come within some element of the scheme. This may surprise the Deputy. It certainly surprised me to find this was the case with these limited figures.
Assuming the limited figures are correct, why deprive the 20,000 of their entitlement to this grant? This is something against which the House should strongly protest. This is a means test so far as agricultural grants are concerned.
If the Deputy starts talking about a means test, the other members of the community would have some cause to protest because this is the money of the whole community being given to those who need it and not given to those who do not need it.
One last question: is the Minister prepared to reconsider this matter?
No.
I have a mind to take the Minister on the Adjournment then.