asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware of the urgent need for a revision of the terms and conditions of the farm retirement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
29.
I do not accept that there is an urgent need for revision of the basic provisions of the farmers' retirement scheme. The scheme has been in operation for just over two years and I regard the results to date as quite satisfactory.
The number of applicants adjudged eligible is 530 and already over 250 of these have sold or are in the legal process of selling their lands to the Land Commission involving a total area of about 11,000 acres; negotiations on price are being initiated or are in progress in over 100 additional cases.
The Deputy will be aware that under arrangements made with Brussels last November qualified applicants who were formerly excluded because of letting their lands can now be admitted to the scheme. Any fundamental revision of the terms and conditions of the scheme must await a review of the directive itself which I understand is being initiated shortly. We will have a number of important amendments to put forward.
Would the Minister accept that there has been quite an upsurge in the cost of living since the scheme was first introduced?
The information available to the Minister indicates that the scheme is proceeding very satisfactorily.
The Minister should not have to resort to any brief to answer my question. Would the Minister accept that there has been an increase in the cost of living since the scheme was first introduced?
That is a matter of personal opinion.
Would the Minister accept that the terms operating when the scheme was introduced must, understandably, be less attractive now than they were then?
That was obviously in the mind of the Minister when he said that any fundamental revision of the terms and conditions of the scheme must await a review of the directive which is being initiated shortly. The Minister will have a number of important amendments to put forward and I am sure that aspect of the operation of the scheme, if it is a problem, will be borne in mind by the Minister in his submission of amendments.
Can the Minister say the total number of applications received to date?
The total number of applications received up to 20th May, 1976, was 1,525.
Would the Minister accept that in November last it was 1,420? Would he agree that 100 applications received from November to May indicates that farmers are not attracted to the terms of the scheme?
It is illogical to argue on that basis. The Deputy must face the fact that a substantial number of applicants have applied, 1,525.
The bulk of those were in the initial year.
We cannot debate this matter today.
Would the Minister agree that because of inflation and the fact that those who retired previously lost many social benefits many farmers have decided against retiring because they would be losing old age pensions, free electricity and so on? Because of this would the Minister agree that it is necessary to have a fuller look at this scheme? It is a good scheme but it is not being availed of at present.
I would rather not comment on this matter and I believe I could be more helpful to the Deputy by conveying his views to the Minister for Lands.