asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will extend the rate of farm building grants operating in pilot areas to the 12 western counties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Building Grants.
80.
Future policy in regard to the pilot areas and aids to agriculture in the western region generally is currently being reviewed in the light of the recently published report on "Agriculture in the West of Ireland" and also of the evolving farm structure policies in the EEC. Pending completion of this review, I do not propose to alter the existing grant rates.
Is the Minister aware that the subject matter of the question has been raised here and in a number of public bodies during the past four years, and will he not agree it would be of great advantage to the 12 western counties if the rate of farm building grants operating within the pilot area scheme were extended? Is he aware that the former Minister, Deputy Blaney, gave what I took to be almost a definite assurance that this would be done in the near future? In view of what has happened and of the advantages that would accrue to western farmers as a whole if these grants were extended to enable them to have proper farm buildings, would the Minister now consider making that extension? The Cork County Committee of Agriculture made a unanimous recommendation on this.
Any increase in the amount of money for grants would be welcomed by the people of Beara or elsewhere. The general question is whether the maximum benefits from the amount of resources at our disposal are being given. The present grants available in the western pilot areas and elsewhere are at a satisfactory level.
The Minister's view differs from that of his predecessor.
The Deputy should have heard Deputy Blaney today on what his successor is doing.