asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (a) for each of the years 1965, 1970, 1972, 1974 and 1975 the total amounts paid from central and local Government and EEC sources, where applicable, in grants and monetary aids of all kinds to Irish agriculture and the total amount of income tax and rates paid in respect of agricultural holdings and (b) the estimated net cost of provision of electricity supply to rural areas since 1947, that is, the gross cost less contribution by rural consumers.
Written Answers. - Agricultural Statistics.
71.
Following is the information requested:
(a) Table I
Aid to Agriculture
|
Year |
Source |
||
|
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
|
|
Central Government |
Local Authorities |
EEC |
|
|
£m. |
£m. |
£m. |
|
|
1965-66 |
53.5 |
0.6 |
— |
|
1970-71 |
94.2 |
1.0 |
— |
|
1972-73 |
112.9 |
1.6 |
— |
|
1974 |
92.2* |
1.4* |
63.1 |
|
1975 |
109.3 |
1.9 |
107.9 |
*Estimated annualised figure for transition "year" April, 1974-December, 1974.
(1) General Government Aid.
The figures for aid from the central Government are taken from the table on State Aid to Agriculture given in the annual Current Budget Tables.
Figures are not available on a calendar year basis before 1975. The decline in expenditure after 1972-73 occurred because, on joining the EEC on January 1st, 1973, Exchequer liability for export losses on certain agricultural products ended. (Market support for such products amounted to £33 million in 1972-73 and is now provided by the EEC.)
(2) Local Authorities Aid
The figures given represent the total identifiable aid given by local authorities, i.e. aid to County Committees of Agriculture and to drainage committees. The 1974 and 1975 amounts do not include aid to drainage committees as figures are not available. Other expenditures of an agricultural nature are not separately classified for each of the years mentioned in the statutory estimates and abstract of accounts of local authorities.
(3) EEC Aid
The figures for EEC aid include refunds and accession compensatory amounts on exports, production refunds and various aids and premiums as well as incidental expenses in connection with intervention purchases. They do not take account of monetary compensatory amounts (MCA's) which were charged on Irish exports of agricultural produce and paid on Irish agricultural imports. In 1974 MCA's of £2.0 million were charged on Irish exports and MCA subsidies of £0.8 million were paid on imports. For 1975 the figures for MCA charges and subsidies on Irish agricultural trade were £16.9 million and £5.3 million respectively. Apart from the MCA's charged or paid in Ireland, a further MCA charge or subsidy arose on the importation of Irish agricultural produce to certain other member states.
A further £1 million from the Guidance Section of the EAGGF was approved for 1974 but has not yet been received. A final figure for approved expenditure from the Guidance Section for 1975 is not yet available. (Approved expenditure not yet paid is in respect of projects and schemes where payment is made in stages or after the operations are completed.)
TABLE 2
INCOME tax and net rates payable in respect of agricultural holdings.
|
Year |
Income Tax |
Net Rates (b) |
|
£m. |
||
|
1965 |
£0.15m. (a) |
8.1 |
|
1970 |
not liable |
11.1 |
|
1972 |
not liable |
15.4 |
|
1974 |
liable from April but no tax due |
16.0 |
|
1975 |
£1.6m. (c) |
17.0 |
(a) Estimated annual yield in respect of the occupation of land which was charged prior to 1969 on a notional basis under Schedule B.
(b) Net rates (which includes rates on agricultural buildings) signifies actual rates payable after allowing for the agricultural grant which is paid to county councils from the Exchequer and helps to reduce the burden of rates on agricultural land.
(c) This comprises
|
Restriction of allowances where there is income other than farming profits |
£m. |
|
0.5 |
|
|
Farmers with another trade or business |
1.0 |
|
Farmers whose sole income is from farming |
0.1 |
(b) Electricity supply to rural areas: The cost of rural electrification up to 31st March, 1976, as estimated by the Electricity Supply Board, is £76.0 million towards which the Exchequer contributed £25.0 million in subsidies. The ESB state that separate records are not kept for lump sum capital contributions paid by applicants before connection under the rural electrification scheme but the board consider that the total of such contributions would not have exceeded £0.5 million.