asked the Minister for Agriculture the circumstances in which his Department or the State can recover grants paid out for the reclamation of land under the western package or the western drainage scheme; and, in particular, if grants paid in the past five years have to be repaid when the land involved has been sold for afforestation.
Written Answers. - Recovery of Agricultural Grants.
49.
The essential purpose of these schemes is to increase the productive capacity of the lands so as to improve the land-owner's income. It is stipulated in the schemes that the Minister for Agriculture may withdraw approval in the event of any subsequent material change in the conditions on the farm, and in such circumstances all or such portion of the aid as the Minister may determine falls to be repaid. Obviously a sale of land for forestry within a relatively short period of the granting of aid would have to be examined in the context of this stipulation. Each such case is considered on its merits having regard to the circumstances obtaining.