asked the Minister for Lands if, in view of the apparent failure of the farm retirement scheme and the difficulties being encountered by progressive young farmers in obtaining land for agricultural production, he will state the steps he has taken to remedy a situation that is seriously impeding the development of this country's basic industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
20.
I do not accept that the farm retirement scheme has been a failure and am, in fact, reasonably satisfied with progress to date. 232 cases have been completed yielding 9,246 acres and prices have been agreed in a further 117 cases, yielding 6,012 acres. These areas, by adding substantially to the pool of land available for reallocation, are making a valuable contribution to the structural reform programme.
As stated in reply to the Deputy's question of 7th December, No. 15, an inter-departmental group established by the Taoiseach are carrying out a comprehensive and wide-ranging review of the existing policy and programme of land structural reform and future policy will be determined in the light of their report.
When will the report be available?
I have not got that information. The Deputy will agree that those carrying out the examination should be allowed to pick their own time. They will, however, know that they should not delay the work too long.
Would the Minister not consider that it might be worth while to indicate to them that the work might be expedited?
To press for a certain date might negative the effects of the report.
Is the Minister's satisfaction with the scheme well-founded?
The scheme involves a change in the status of a man's life. He has a proprietary interest and it is a big decision in his life, indeed one of the biggest, so it is not taken on lightly or in the spirit in which one might buy a packet of cigarettes.
Does the Minister not accept that there has been a decline in the number of applicants?
I have not got the information but as I have said, there has been agreement on 117 cases. This would indicate what would appear to be a continuing satisfactory situation —that more people are making up their minds to avail of the scheme.
Owing to the seriousness of the position, would the Minister not agree that incentives are not good enough?
The incentives are the subject of continuing examination. I would not accept that the scheme is a failure.
Would the Minister say that speculation in farm land should be restricted by law?
Sin ceist eile. If the Deputy puts down a question I will answer it.
The Minister should have enough confidence in himself to answer it now.