asked the Minister for Agriculture if he intends to continue supporting financially the vegetable marketing co-ordination scheme.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Vegetable Marketing Co-ordination Scheme.
34.
The matter of further encouraging vegetable marketing co-ordination is under review at present and consultations have been taking place with producer interests. It is hoped that a decision in the matter can be taken shortly.
What does the Minister of State mean when he says "shortly"? The present scheme has virtually run its term and those who have been involved in the marketing co-ordination scheme find themselves in a state of confusion. They do not know whether the scheme is to be continued.
I am not aware of their confusion. I met them as recently as two weeks ago and what they are targeting for at present is something totally different and which would not cost the Exchequer very much. They are talking about formulating into producer groups. One of the problems with producer groups is that they need very substantial amounts of produce going through the groups. If they can up the amount of produce they can lay their hands on they will qualify. If they do not qualify for the producer group grants, obviously we will have to help them as we have being doing with our own supports.
Would the Minister of State assure the House today that the assistance for the marketing co-ordination scheme will continue until such time as the producer grants scheme is brought into operation?
I will give the Deputy the same assurance as I gave the group. I have made submissions on their behalf to the Government.
Is the Minister of State telling us that aid will continue to the marketing co-ordination scheme?
What I am saying is that the group are not interested in that aspect of it. What they are concerned about is that we help them to formulate into producer groups so that they can qualify for much enhanced grants.