Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 May 1974

Vol. 272 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transitional Farmers Grants.

16.

Mr. Kitt

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state the categories and amounts of grants still available to "other farmers" who are not in a position to qualify for development on transitional grants since 1st February, 1974; and the categories of grants that were available prior to 1st February, 1974, that will not be available in future to these "other farmers".

Under the farm modernisation scheme farmers not qualifying for aid as development or commercial farmers will be eligible to apply for the aids available to the third category——

Mr. Kitt

I cannot hear what the Minister is saying.

Perhaps the Deputy would keep his colleagues quiet.

It would not be necessary to keep us quiet if the Minister were not so quick off the mark.

Under the farm modernisation scheme farmers not qualifying for aid as development or commercial farmers will be eligible to apply for the aids available to the third category—that is the "transitional" or "other" farmers. The grants available for these "other" farmers are 50 per cent for land improvement and 30 per cent for fixed assets, including farm buildings The range of grants now available to this category of farmer is broadly the same as that obtaining before 1st February, 1974, although certain items of fixed equipment not hitherto eligible now attract assistance. However, no aid is now available to any category of farmer for investment in poultry production.

Can the Minister say whether small farmers or, as he calls them, transitional farmers, will be eligible for grants if they are more than 55 years of age?

Yes, they are eligible for grants but at the same rate as the commercial farmers, that is, 40 per cent for land drainage and development and 20 per cent for fixed assets.

Am I correct in taking it from the Minister's reply that three categories of farmers have been enumerated by him?

Mr. Kitt

If a farmer wishes to build a hay shed or a lean-to and if his application for a grant has been in since 1st February must he wait for as long as the dispute continues before his application is sanctioned?

Not if he sends his application to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Mr. Kitt

If the original date was before the 1st February and it was not released, what is the position now?

He can fill in another form.

Is the scheme for the elimination of small farmers by this Government in full progress?

That is not a proper question. Question No. 17.

(Interruptions.)

Deputies, we must make some progress.

Did the Minister get application forms from the CAOs. from farmers who applied since 1st February?

I have called Question No. 17.

(Interruptions.)

It is about time the party opposite got a leader.

Order. Deputies may I have your assistance in this matter?

(Interruptions.)

I should like to clear up this confusion. Deputy Crinion asked a supplementary question and got permission to do so. He asked it clearly and was heard by each Member in the House. If that supplementary question were answered by the Minister we could proceed and there would be no more confusion.

That depends on the Ceann Comhairle.

I indicated to Deputy Crinion that I had passed on to the next question. I asked him to bear with me in the matter and he must accept my decision.

(Interruptions.)
Top
Share