asked the Minister for Lands the number of applications received under the farm retirement scheme for the six months period from 1st April 1976.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
12.
(Cavan): In the period mentioned 84 applications were received for the benefits of the farmers' retirement scheme.
I know the Minister accepts that nobody is trying to score points in regard to this scheme but would he agree that this is possibly the most attractive vehicle we have for the transfer of land, especially to younger people, and that the figure he mentioned of 84, while reasonable enough, will not allow for the transfer we had hoped for and that, perhaps, we need a much more attractive retirement scheme?
(Cavan): In the context of the EEC directive our retirement scheme was regarded in Brussels as the most attractive scheme prepared.
Only the best is good enough.
(Cavan): I agree. It is far more generous than the minimum guidelines laid down. Some 230 farmers are actually in receipt of pensions under the scheme. That covers between 8,000 and 9,000 acres. The pension payable under the scheme was increased, in the case of single people, from £400 to £530 on 1st May last and, in respect of married people, from £600 to £800.
Even though the scheme is attractive, the Minister must admit that it has not clicked owing to other causes such as social welfare. The scheme has not got off the ground. There is a very poor response. Does the Minister realise that?
(Cavan): I think the scheme has been a reasonable success. I should like it to be more successful. The scheme was provided for people who are uncomfortable in agriculture and want to get out of it and I honestly believe that better informed and shrewder people who are suited by the scheme have availed and are availing of it. Unfortunately, some misguided and unfortunate criticism of the scheme is being conducted in certain quarters. That criticism is not justified and is doing damage. It is not in the interests of the farmers who want to retire and those who want the lands that the scheme should be misrepresented and that potential applicants should be led to believe that there is something wrong with it.
I do not agree that damage has been done——
A question, please.
Some people who retired under this scheme actually wrote to the papers and publicised what they lost in social welfare. I think this did more damage than any propaganda from any other source.
(Cavan): In that particular case I think the applicant got about £20,000 for his farm. He got a pension of about £12 a week. He could not understand why he would not get a non-contributory old age pension, a health card, a free wireless licence and several other benefits. He was encouraged in his disappointment by a section of the media and by some parliamentarians. That was unfortunate because the man who got about £20,000, was allowed to retain his house and two acres and got £12 a week, could not reasonably expect to get a non-contributory pension. One journalist went to town in defence of that man and in encouragement of his disappointment and in my opinion did no service either to retiring farmers or to people who want to get land.
I should like the Minister to spell out the interests trying to kill this scheme.
(Cavan): I have just done so.
To some extent, but it is true to say that 84 applications in the last six months is not very significant. In my own county of Wexford the number of applications is very small.
We must proceed by way of question.
Would the Minister agree that when land brings £1,000 or more per acre at public auction the scheme is totally unattractive?
(Cavan): I do not agree because the Land Commission pay market value for any land they take over under the scheme. I have not known any or very much to be refused. They pay market value and pay in cash. In 1974 when the scheme was only six months in operation, 1,055 applications were received. It was natural that we would get the greatest number of applications in the first year. In 1975, we had 392 applications and in 1976 to date, 161. There is a steady flow of applications.
Could the Minister assure us, irrespective of the merits of the scheme as compared with Europe or anywhere else, that as far as he is concerned he accepts the scheme as experimental and he will always be conscious of the fact that it can be updated to make it as attractive as he thinks it might be so that it would serve the purpose for which we all hope it would be utilised?
(Cavan): The Deputy may have that assurance and, as evidence of my earnestness in that respect, I amended the scheme since 1974 by applying it to lands which were being let. That was a very big move. Also, I have increased the pension, as promised, from £400 to £530 for single people and from £600 to £800 a year for married people.
May I ask——
I am sorry. I have given a great deal of latitude. Some Deputies are never satisfied.
I have only asked one supplementary.
I have allowed a large number. I am calling Question No. 13.