asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make available grants under the milk coolers scheme to liquid as well as creamery milk producers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Coolers Scheme.
80.
The grant scheme for milk coolers was introduced for the benefit of smaller suppliers of creamery milk on lower valuation holdings. I do not consider it necessary to extend the scope of the scheme.
Would the Minister agree that there is greater need for cooling facilities for liquid milk producers in view of the fact that there is likely to be a greater distance between pick-up points and terminal points in the case of liquid milk producers than in the case of creamery milk producers?
The determining factor is not the distance from the pickup point but the relativities of the prices that creamery milk suppliers and liquid milk suppliers get. As the Deputy knows, the liquid milk suppliers' price is higher. Therefore, the grants are made available only to creamery milk suppliers.
Is the Minister saying that the purpose of this grant is income support——
That is a separate question.
The purpose of the introduction of the grant is to assist small suppliers of creamery milk to cool their milk and thereby to benefit from the quality milk payment. Since there is an appreciable difference in price between the creamery milk and the liquid milk it was felt that the concentration should go on the people receiving the lesser price.
Is it not the case that there are many small liquid milk producers equally in need of cooling facilities?
Yes. There are many such small liquid milk producers but they get a better price for their milk. It can be reasonably argued that the people who should get precedence are the creamery milk suppliers.