asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will make money available to county committees of agriculture to enable them to give grants to farmers who purchase manure spreaders.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Manure Spreaders Grants.
18.
I do not propose to make money available to committees of agriculture for the purpose mentioned.
Since the spreading equipment now costs in the region of £900 and in view of the price of compound fertilisers, does the Minister not consider that some aid should be given? Would he also consider reintroducing the grants for slurry equipment which were withdrawn last year?
That is a separate matter.
It was I who brought in the slurry tank grants for a year. They were not there previously. The need was always there for them. It is now more worthwhile than ever to spread slurry and manure in this way and it should pay people to equip themselves to do it. It is a contractor's job. I do not believe in encouraging individual farmers to buy equipment which is costing all this money.