asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of socio-economic advisers appointed in Ireland under the special EEC directive, the purpose of such advisers as envisaged in the EEC scheme, the level of EEC financial aid available and if he has any further plans in the matter.
Written Answers. - Socio-Economic Advisers.
93.
Two specialist advisers in my Department are engaged full-time in socio-economic advisory work in the context of our scheme under this directive. The initial phase of the scheme provides for preliminary courses of training in socio-economic advice and participation in the courses is open to all interested members of the agricultural advisory service. So far, 148 persons have taken part in the preliminary courses and are available to meet requests from farmers and their families for socio-economic advice. On the completion of the last of these preliminary courses early this year, it is intended to proceed with the selection and training of full-time socio-economic advisers to meet the full requirements of the directive.
The purpose of such advisers as indicated in the directive is to give farming people general guidance on the possibilities open to them for improving their socio-economic situation, whether within agriculture or in outside occupations, or through retirement, so that in taking decisions affecting their own and their children's future, they will be in possession of all the relevant information.
The level of EEC financial aid is as follows: 25 per cent of a standard amount of 7,500 units of account in respect of each qualified adviser entering upon his duties and 25 per cent of the expenditure incurred in training such advisers up to an overall amount of 4,500 units of account for each adviser trained.