asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is satisfied with the present rate of grants for on-farm grain storage and conditioning.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grain Storage Grants.
69.
I am satisfied with the current rates of grants for on-farm grain storage and conditioning.
Is the Minister aware that compounders are getting grants of up to 40 per cent for storage facilities from the IDA and that the individual farmer can qualify for a grant somewhere in the region of £150? Would the Minister consider introducing a special scheme of grants to help and encourage smaller farmers to survive the present crisis?
Thirty per cent of the cost of development and other provision—they can get 30 per cent for storage of grain and I cannot increase this. It comes in under the modernisation scheme.
Who qualifies for the 30 per cent grant?
Farmers. There are three different types of storage and the grant can become very small for grain loss and grain bins and so on.
But for grain storage?
Tower silos, 25 per cent of approved estimated cost of purchase and installation; maximum grant for agricultural holdings, £500.
Irrespective of the cost of the facility being built?
Yes.
The Minister realises that if he was in a position to introduce greater grants we might certainly do something positive about controlling the profiteering we have all seen in the last couple of months.
The Deputy knows I am not. The Minister cannot introduce any new aid and, in fact, is being pressurised to phase out old ones.