asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that there is considerable confusion in the public mind regarding the terms of the scheme to encourage elderly and other farmers to retire from farming; and if he will consider publishing a booklet setting out in question and answer from the salient points of the plan.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farmer Retirement Scheme.
17.
(Cavan): The terms of the retirement scheme for farmers were publicised in a comprehensive Press release issued by me on 15th January last. I have also given details of the scheme in a number of other statements and officials of my Department have attended meetings arranged by farming organisations throughout the country and outlined the details of the scheme. In addition, the Land Commission now have available an explanatory leaflet outlining its main provisions; I am arranging to have some copies placed in the Library of the House and I will supply one to the Deputy. I shall be putting the scheme into operation very shortly and—to coincide with its introduction—I am arranging a special publicity campaign which will include publication of an information booklet.
As recently as two weeks ago I tried to get from the Department of Lands the finer or more comprehensive details of this scheme. The Minister says there is a booklet available now.
Can we have a question, Deputy, please?
May I ask the Minister why nobody in this House has been made aware of the details of this scheme? No Member of the House is so aware. Certainly the public are not aware. Is the Minister satisfied that this is a satisfactory position in regard to the small farmers and that the first intimation that——
It is a very long question, Deputy.
It is a very important question and a very lengthy answer. May I ask some supplementaries on the answer?
The Deputy is entitled to a supplementary but he ought not be long.
Will the Minister indicate to the House the detailed information which Members of the House have been seeking for six months and which members of the public have been seeking since the scheme was announced?
(Cavan): As the Deputy may or may not be aware, the scheme has not yet come into force. It will come into force in the very near future. To coincide with that, I am mounting a rather elaborate publicity campaign in the——
That is what we are grumbling about; this is where the Minister mounts his publicity campaign.
(Cavan): I am mounting a publicity campaign, Particularly in the local Press and otherwise to bring the matter to the attention of all interested farmers. Part of that campaign is in the form of an information booklet which will be available very shortly and, of course, will be distributed to Deputies as well as to the general public. If the Deputy has any doubt about this or if there is any information he requires on the matter, he is very welcome to come and have a chat with me.
Is the Minister aware that people in the country have worries about the question of the rental? A man can rent land for 12 years but it is not clear whether it will be a flat rate for 12 years or whether there will be a plus or minus in the lease according to the agricultural index. These are some of the things being asked of me every other day and which I am unable to answer.
(Cavan): The terms of the lease will be a matter for negotiation between the lessor and the lessee——
At an auction?
We cannot debate this matter today. We must pass on to the next question.
(Cavan): I would not imagine that leasing would take place by auction. I would imagine it would be a matter of private negotiations between the lessor and the lessee.
(Interruptions.)
One final supplementary—Deputy Brennan. We will have to pass on, Deputies; we cannot debate this matter today. The Chair is passing on to the next question after Deputy Brennan.
I want to ask the Minister if the pensions awarded under the scheme to retiring farmers will be reckonable in the means test for non-contributory old age pensions?
(Cavan): The pension, as awarded, will be payable irrespective of whether or not the retiring farmer later qualifies for an old age pension.
(Interruptions.)
That is not answering the question.
In view of the unsatisfactory reply, I wish to give notice that I intend raising this matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy.