asked the Minister for Agriculture (a) the number of acres of land which were allocated by the Land Commission in County Carlow and County Kilkenny for the years 1980 to 1983 inclusive; (b) the names of the estates and the average price of land in each estate; (c) if he is aware that the average price of land in these estates is now about one-third of what it was and that the annuities presently being charged are imposing a severe hardship on all concerned; (d) if he will, as a matter of urgency, consider the provision of a direct State subsidy or the application of low interest loans to alleviate the present serious hardship in that particular area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Allocation by Land Commission.
7.
As to (a), 133 hectares were acquired and 460 allotted in Co. Carlow while 263 hectares were acquired and 519 allotted in Co. Kilkenny.
In regard to (b), the provision of the detailed information sought would make severe demands on limited staff resources but I would be happy to have information provided in any particular case.
As to (c) and (d), the determination of the price at which land is allotted is a matter which is reserved by law to the Land Commission. This determination is made within the framework of statutory regulations governing land finance. In general, the aim is to recover what was paid. However, when deciding the allotment price in each case I understand that the commission take account of a number of factors, including the estimated agricultural value of the land, at the time of allotment. The losses on the resale of land in recent years have been considerable. These losses have had to be borne by the Exchequer.
When a farmer in arrears is in serious financial difficulties, the Land Commission are prepared to consider a request from him for the re-adjustment of his payments.
An Ceann Comhairle, I did not get an answer to my supplementary. I want to know is the Minister prepared to——
The Deputy was making a speech.
I am asking a specific question: is the Minister prepared to change the regulations governing the price fixed at the outset?
I will allow that question but I will not allow speeches from anybody.
Deputy Dowling made an allegation that the Land Commission, as such, do not have a sympathetic approach to people who are experiencing difficulty in meeting repayment of their annuities. I would have to say that that is not in accordance with the way I see it. Of course people have difficulty in meeting repayments. Indeed there was a hue and cry up and down the country as far as the other lending institutions were concerned. One reason there has not been that great outcry in so far as Land Commission annuities are concerned is, as I have said here on a number of occasions in recent years, that any landholder who was experiencing genuine problems in this connection could call into our office in Castlebar or to the Department, when we would help them out. We have done so on many occasions, in every way possible, by rescheduling the loan or their repayments. I might say to Deputy Dowling — who I know has a genuine interest in this — if there are a number of farmers he believes are unable to meet their repayments, by reason of bad weather or the other variety of factors at present affecting agriculture, if he notifies me of them I will have them examined. But I would have to say, on balance, that the Land Commission have shown a very humane approach to this problem.
That situation is growing worse daily. Would the Minister devise and implement some mechanism under which a thorough examination would be made so as to alleviate hardship cases in one way or another? We have asked the lending institutions, the banks, we have asked all concerned with investment in land over the years to give consideration to farmers experiencing hardship because of a variety of circumstances.
I cannot allow statements.
No such consideration has been given by the Land Commission. Yet there are a number of cases in my constituency——
The Deputy will have to cease making statements and ask a question. I am calling Question No. 8.