asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why notice of one month only was given this year to intending applicants for FEOGA grants.
3.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - FEOGA Grants.
2.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the steps he proposes to take to establish the necessary organisation which will solicit the maximum number of applications for grants from FEOGA.
4.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the reason for the decision to allow the IDA to process applications for grants from FEOGA for the food processing industry; and when this decision was taken.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 3 and 4 together.
My Department have already taken the necessary steps to bring the 1974 FEOGA grant scheme to the attention of all potential applicants. As far back as August last advertisements and notices about the scheme were published in the Press and a detailed memorandum on the subject was circulated to organisations covering all branches of agriculture and agricultural industry.
Further publicity material was issued towards the end of March and a notice indicating that the closing date for the receipt of applications in Brussels was 30th June and advising intending applicants of the need to complete their applications as soon as possible appeared in the Press last week.
Parallel publicity measures have been undertaken by the IDA. A notice inserted by the IDA in the Press on 26th February advised applicants in the processing industry to submit applications to them before the end of March so as to give adequate time to assess the projects and to ensure that they are properly documented and fully in accord with EEC requirements before transmission to Brussels.
As the Deputy is, no doubt, aware, it is a condition of this scheme that the State must be prepared to contribute to the financing of projects submitted to the Commission. Consequently, it was decided in 1973 that each application should be examined by the Department or agency normally responsible for grant-aiding the project involved. The IDA are, of course, the normal source of grant aid for food processing industries.
Can the Minister tell the House the number of applications for aid or assistance from this fund that have been received to date?
I cannot give the exact number but it is small. The position was the same last year but then there was a flood of applications in the last few weeks.
Can the Minister say how the number of applications received already compares with the number received last year and whether he is satisfied that everything possible with regard to publicity has been done so that people are fully aware of what grants and assistance they are eligible for from this particular scheme?
The indications are that the number of applications will be down in the present year because most people who are thinking of looking for these schemes put in their applications last year. It is to be expected there will not be as many this year. I think it is the quality of the applications more than the quantity that is important. We want to try to get in as many applications as possible that are likely to be accepted. As far as the publicity is concerned I do not think we can do anything more about it. There have been numerous quite large size advertisements in the papers and no less than 200 organisations have been notified. I do not think anything more can be done. Usually the type of organisations that would qualify for assistance are organisations that should already be aware of the availability of these schemes or their opportunity to apply for them.
Would the Minister let the House know what his attitude would be to the setting up of a special organisation whose primary function would be to solicit applications for assistance from this fund because it is believed by some that not enough explanation has been given on the details of this scheme?
If the Deputy could indicate where he thinks the Department have failed in advertising these grants and in notifying no less than 200 different organisations that might have some interest in these schemes, I would be glad to hear from him.
Question No. 5.
Is the Minister further aware——
We shall have to pass on, Deputy Collins. I have allowed the Deputy a lot of latitude on this question. We must make some progress.
Arising further out of what the Minister said, is he aware that last year the Twenty-six Counties applied for aid in the region of £12 million from this fund whereas applications to the tune of £22 million were made for the Six Counties of Northern Ireland? Has the Minister any comment to make with regard to this situation?
No. I am not aware of any further advertising that can be done. If people do not want to apply for grants the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries cannot do anything about it.
Is the Minister aware that it is the quality of the application that is important? Are all the organisations and co-operatives fully aware of the type of application that will meet with success? This is where I think we are not educated enough.
I think they are very well aware. They have been circularised with all the information we have got.
This approach has been unsuccessful.
Does the Minister think the dispute with the advisory service in his Department is responsible in any way for the relatively small number of applications?
I am afraid the Deputy is confusing two things. The advisory service play no part whatever in these schemes we are talking about now.
They let farmers know of them.
These are not grants just for farmers.
Farmers are included.
(Interruptions.)