asked the Minister for Agriculture (i) the number of farmers who have availed themselves of the farm retirement scheme since its inception; (ii) the number of acres of land purchased under this scheme; (iii) the amount of money paid for the land; (iv) the number of farmers accommodated with extra land as a result of the scheme and the number of them who now have a viable farm as a result of the scheme; (v) the amount of money paid in retirement pensions since the scheme commenced and the annual amount; (vi) the benefits available to farmers who avail themselves of the scheme; and (vii) when pension increases, etc., are available to participants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
12.
The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.
Following is the table:—
(i) 607 made up as follows:
|
By sale to the Land Commission |
526 |
|
By sale to Development Farmers |
32 |
|
By lease to Development Farmers |
49 |
|
607 |
(ii) and (iii)
Purchases by the Land Commission
|
Hectares |
(acres) |
Purchase Price |
|
9,517 |
(23,499) |
£10,498,425 |
Purchases by Development Farmers
|
Hectares |
(acres) |
Purchase Price |
|
500 |
(1,235) |
£602,300 |
Total
|
Hectares |
(acres) |
Purchase Price |
|
10,017 |
(24,734) |
£11,100,725 |
(iv) Farmers accommodated
|
By Land Commission allotments |
867 |
|
By Direct sales |
32 |
|
By Leases |
52 |
|
951 |
The figure in respect of Land Commission allotments covers an area of 5,745 hectares leaving a balance of 3,772 hectares to be allotted. Priority in the allocation of this land is given to development farmers certified to have a land requirement. Some 50 per cent of the total area has been thus allocated, the balance going to other small farmers in the locality.
(v)
|
Year |
Amount |
|
£ |
|
|
1974 |
135 |
|
1975 |
21,989 |
|
1976 |
111,642 |
|
1977 |
227,989 |
|
1978 |
327,051 |
|
1979 |
396,373 |
|
1980 |
499,331 |
|
1981 |
633,176 |
|
1982 |
785,300 |
|
1983 to date |
353,818 |
|
Total |
3,356,804 |
(vi) Benefits (in addition to purchase price or lease rent):—
Under 55 years
A premium of 10 per cent of the purchase price subject to a maximum of £1,500 or twice the annual lease rent subject to a maximum of £3,000.
55 years and over
Premium as above plus a life annuity of £2,268 for a married person or £1,512 for a single person, widow or widower.
(vii) The annuity has been reviewed with effect from 1 May each year.
I am sure the Minister will agree that the main reason why the farm retirement scheme was not a success was that the benefits available to the farmers were not comparable to the benefits available to other people who retired from other jobs?
The farm retirement scheme was a failure for a variety of reasons. The point the Deputy has raised is a valid one but it would be only one of many.
Does the Minister intend to re-introduce the farm retirement scheme in line with the modernisation scheme in early autumn?
There is an in-depth survey being carried out at the moment in my Department on the farm retirement scheme. It is also being looked at in Brussels. I am not in a position to say exactly when it will be introduced.
When was the last time that people receiving this pension received an increase and what increase was given to them in 1983?
That is a separate question, but two months ago there was a slight increase in the pension.
What percentage increase?
I do not know the exact percentage.
How many committees are now sitting in the Minister's Department? Every time we ask a question we are told a committee is being set up.