asked the Minister for Lands if, in respect of applications received under the farm retirement scheme from farmers in counties in the congested districts and in the entire country, he will state the number of applications sanctioned and the numbers in which transfers have taken place and cash payments made from the inception of the scheme to 31st December, 1974.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
30.
(Cavan): A total of 1,055 applications under the retirement scheme was received in the Land Commission in the period ended 31st December last. Of this number 666 were in the congested districts as extended by me on 17th October, 1973 to include Counties Cavan, Monaghan, and Longford. The total number of applications sanctioned—sales to Land Commission and for direct sale or lease to development farmers—before 31st December was 169, of which 123 were in the congested districts. Four cases were completed and the purchase money paid over by December 31st and three of these were in the congested districts. I might add that for the country as a whole the number of cases sanctioned at a recent date—23rd January, 1975—was 199, of which 130 were in the congested districts.
Did the Minister say that four cases have been completed?
(Cavan): Yes. These are cases in respect of which the legal technicalities have been completed and payment made but there are more than those now.
There should be more. Is the Minister happy with the progress of this scheme in view of the single digit figures he has given?
(Cavan): I am reasonably satisfied with the scheme. It came into operation on 1st May, 1974. After it had been advertised application forms were sent out and of those about 1,000 have been returned of which about 200 have been sanctioned. When last I made inquiries—and that was not very long ago—I was informed that about 60 of those had been passed to the solicitors' branch at a final stage to be completed for the vendors. The business is a tedious one but reasonably good progress has been made.
We would not agree.
The Minister has told us that 200 applications are being considered at present, but could he tell us what is the position in respect of the other 800?
(Cavan): They are being processed. As I have said, of the more than 1,000 applicants who applied, 200 have been adjudged eligible. Of the remainder, 120 have been rejected and the others are being considered to ascertain whether the applicants are eligible for qualification within the terms of this scheme and whether the land involved is suitable for the purposes of the scheme.
Can the Minister say when the applications that have been received will be dealt with?
(Cavan): I have told the Deputy that 60 of those are at a final stage.
I am referring to those that have not been dealt with. They have been with the Department for some time now.
(Cavan): There is no need to misrepresent me on this. When these matters go to the solicitors' branch I am not responsible for them. The legal questions are ironed out by the solicitors. However I am satisfied that very considerable progress is being made and I am asking the chief inspector to give special attention to the scheme.
Question No. 31.
Regarding the four cases in which payment has been made, does payment mean payment of pension plus cash for the farm or does it mean one of these only?
(Cavan): It means both—that as well as cash being paid for the farm a pension is being paid regularly.
May I ask the Minister——
This must be a final supplementary. We must make some progress.
Hear, hear.
——if his Department operate programme budgeting for a scheme such as this and, if so, how does this programme compare with the applications received to date?
(Cavan): My Department operate programme budgeting in general, and I presume this would be included. It could not be included from the beginning of the last programme because the scheme was not in existence then.
Question No. 31.
Did you budget for a deficit?
Further arising from the Minister's reply——
The Chair indicated earlier the wish to move on to another question. Question No. 31.
The Chair is moving faster than the Minister.
The Chair has allowed many supplementaries on this question.
31.
asked the Minister for Lands the number of farmers in County Waterford who have retired under the farm retirement scheme.
(Cavan): Fourteen applications were received from farmers in County Waterford for the benefits of the retirement scheme. One was later withdrawn.
To date three applicants have been adjudged eligible for admission to the scheme on the basis that they propose to sell or lease their holdings to development farmers whose approved development plans provide for additional land. The cases, however, cannot be finally determined until the transfers have been completed. Three applicants have been adjudged ineligible.
The necessary inquiries on the ground have been completed in the remaining cases and decisions will be reached on them shortly.