asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason payment of a grant under the installation aid for young farmers scheme has not been made to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Installation Aid Grant.
14.
The processing of the application in this case has been completed and the applicant has been deemed eligible to participate in the scheme. Payment of the premium will be made as soon as practicable and I will inform the Deputy at the appropriate time.
All premiums are paid strictly in the order in which eligibility is established. Payments are being phased in such a way as to ensure adherence to the amount provided in the Vote. Consequently, there is some delay in payment of the premiums.
I am disappointed to learn that this grant has not yet been paid. The installation aid scheme for young farmers was introduced by the previous Government. It was a very imaginative and innovative scheme and was geared to encourage the early transfer of farms to the younger generation. Many young farmers are now becoming disillusioned with the way in which this scheme is being implemented. Many of these young farmers have had to obtain bridging loans from financial institutions at a very high rate of interest and two years after applying for aid, despite having complied with the stringent requirements on eligibility, they have not yet been paid. Can the Minister give us an assurance that he will treat this case with the urgency that I feel it deserves?
I agree that installation aid is very important and an indication of the importance which I attach to it is that I was glad to be able to obtain agreement to have the grants restored this year having been obliged last year to suspend the scheme due to financial constraints. I have to say in relation to this case that the registration was only completed by the Land Registry on 19 April. That does not suggest there has been any undue delay in our part but it is a condition precedent that the land be registered and registration was only completed on that date. In fact, we were informed of this at a later date but I will give attention to it.
On the general principle——
This question refers to a specific case and I cannot permit a widening of the question. Question No. 15 in the name of Deputy Gibbons.
The Minister referred to the procedures——
Next question, please.
I would like to say that it is outrageous that there are delays in the payment of farm grants.
The next question please, Question No. 15.
I would like to ask a brief supplementary question. I would like to assure the Minister that it is not the fault of the applicant that there has been a delay. Perhaps somewhere along the line his application was mislaid or purposely delayed.
This should not lead to argument. Question No. 15 please.
I would like to tell the Deputy that we have got nothing to do with the Land Registry.