asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the maximum grant per acre payable under the land project; and the average amount per acre paid in respect of County Leitrim and County Roscommon.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Project.
8.
Under the Land Project, the general rate of grant is two-thirds of the estimated cost of the work, subject to an overriding maximum of £50 per acre in the western and north-western counties and £45 in the remainder of the country.
In the pilot areas in the western and north-western counties, however, if the farmer concerned is effectively operating a farm plan approved by his area agricultural adviser, and this plan includes land project works, the grant is increased to three-quarters of the estimated cost of the work, subject to the overriding limit of £50 per acre, and, in addition, lime, phosphates and potash up to a maximum value of £8 per acre are supplied free where a soil test shows that the land requires them.
In County Leitrim, where the work done consisted mainly of intensive field drainage, the average grant per acre paid over the past year was £35. In County Roscommon, where the work done was less expensive and consisted mainly of the removal of light scrub, stones and unwanted fences and the levelling of ground, the average grant per acre paid over the past year was £21.
Could the Minister tell the House the number of applicants who got the full £50 grant?
I have not got an idea.
This question relates only to County Leitrim and County Roscommon.
The number would be very small.
Does this not prove beyond doubt that the maximum level of grants is more than generous if only a few reached them?
It does not.
Of course, it does.