andMr. Finn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether he proposes to sanction the request from Mayo County Committee of Agriculture for the appointment of extra staff and the provision of finance for the efficient operation of the Small Farm Incentive Bonus Scheme; and, if so, when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Small Farm Scheme.
35.
The request which was received very recently is being examined and a decision in the matter will be given as soon as possible.
Has the Minister considered the staffing demands which would result from the adoption of the EEC farm modernisation directives which are the same in general intent although wider in scope than the small farm incentive bonus scheme? There will be a big demand for an increase in advisory staff all over the country as a result of these directives. What step is the Minister taking to provide the extra staff needed all over the country?
As the Deputy knows, on several occasions including yesterday's meeting of the general council of committees of agriculture, I indicated that in the context the Deputy refers to the centralisation of an advisory service would in my opinion be absolutely necessary. One result of this arrangement would be mobility of staff and the ability of the central authority to move staff into areas where staff is required. The situation in Mayo at the present time which is rather difficult to handle— that is no reflection at all on the Mayo County Committee of Agriculture—reflects the inadequacy of the present county committee of agriculture system——
Within the shackles laid down by the Department.
——within the framework of the present advisory service. The financial implications for the Mayo County Committee of Agriculture are in my opinion rather serious and will have to be given very careful examination.
Question No. 36.
I hope that does not mean that the county committee will be further shackled in their activities by the Department.
Will the Deputy please allow Questions to continue? I have called Question No. 36.
I do not know what the Deputy means by "further shackled". I am not aware that there have been shackles at all. The Deputy will realise that the purpose of the advisory service is to provide the best possible advice for the farmers who are actually doing the job. The advisory service does not exist for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. It exists for the farmers and to get the best possible advisory service you have got to get the one which will give that service where it is looked for.