asked the Minister for Agriculture the precise function his Department have in processing applications for assistance under the farm rescue package; how many applications for assistance under the scheme have been made; how many farmers have now qualified for and are in receipt of benefit under the package; and whether he has satisfied himself with the operation of the scheme.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Rescue Package.
6.
The processing of individual applications under the reduced interest scheme for farmers in severe financial difficulty is the responsibility of the associated banks and the ACC. My Department are not involved. I understand that about 9,000 applications have been received, that so far approximately 2,650 have been deemed eligible, and that 2,200 of these have already received benefit under the scheme. I am anxious to see the processing of the applications completed as soon as possible but in view of the nature and complexity of the scheme, progress is as good as could be expected.
Would the Minister agree that the fact that only about one-quarter of applications made, most of which were made early last year, were processed is an indication that the scheme is not working as well as it should be? Whilst I appreciate that it is not the Minister's responsibility to arrange the processing of the applications, he might put some pressure, as he is a position to do, on the banks and lending institutions to speed up the process and deliver to farmers who are in financial difficulties the benefit of the scheme.
I am repeatedly in contact with the ACC and the banks to let them know that we are dissatisfied with the rate of approval of applications. It is an extremely complex scheme and the major delay is caused by the fact that farmers have to prove that they can become viable again within three years and they must draw up rather detailed plans to show that they can attain that viability.
What is the number of banks to which this scheme applies?
The associated banks, the Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Banks, the Northern Bank and the Ulster Bank.
Will the Minister then look into the possibility of extending the scheme to a number of the merchant banks from whom a fair number of farmers have facilities and they are not availing of this scheme?
That is an interesting point which has not been made before. I will look at that.