asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the new rates of grants to be paid by his Department for new piggeries, announced in the last Budget statement; and the date from which the new grants will be payable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grants for Piggeries.
17.
The new general rate of grant for farm piggeries is 8/- per square foot of floor area. In pilot and special areas the new total grant is 9/-per square foot of floor area. The new grant in respect of a large-scale pig fattening unit is at the rate of one-third of the approved capital cost.
These rates of grant which were announced last week became effective yesterday, 17th June.
Am I to assume from the Minister's reply that he is changing to large-scale pig units and, if so, that his earlier move to extend pig production to the small farmers has been a failure?
The Deputy can make no such assumption. The increase in the rate of grant is designed not only to encourage the individual farmer to go into pig fattening to a greater degree but also to secure an increase in the total that can be fattened, and there are areas in which central pig fattening stations are being sought. We have come in for the first time with the central pig fattening grants of very substantial amounts, up to 33? per cent of the estimate of the cost. This is to be complementary to rather than in place of the local individual pig fattening units. Certainly the Deputy can take it that there is no intention of replacing the small man as a result of the establishment of the central pig fattening station.
Does the Minister not appreciate that his policy of encouraging farmers, particularly in the western counties to expand pig production and to provide a sufficiency of pigs for our own markets and to provide bacon for export is being vitiated by the Department's latest move? Does he not agree that the most likely result in the not too distant future is that pig production among our small holders and cottiers will disappear and be confined to big combines, cooperative societies and so on?
The Deputy is not putting a question: he is making a speech.
I have asked the Minister a supplementary question arising out of Question No. 17. The Minister will please reply.
The grants have been increased for the individual pig fattening units. The limit of £750 which was heretofore imposed on the total amount that may be drawn in respect of any pig fattening unit has been removed. Secondly, for the first time, the large central pig fattening station grant has been introduced. I would not agree that Deputy Murphy is right in his forecast, because the man who breeds his own pigs on a small scale within his own yard will undoubtedly make a far better profit and is in a much more competitive position than a central pig fattening unit where the help and management must be paid for and which may not be as diligent in its management and operations as would the man looking after his own production.
I would ask the Minister——
We cannot have a debate on this question.
My main worry is that the pig station will wipe out the small man.
Question No. 18. Will the Deputy allow Questions to continue?
It is an appropriate question.