asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state whether he will now relax or amend the regulations to permit allotment holders who have benefited by the Government's scheme of allotments, seeds, etc., at a nominal rent, to continue to enjoy these advantages after they attain the age of 70 years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government Allotments Scheme.
It is not proposed to make any change in the law governing the provision of allotments at nominal rents by local authorities. The Allotments Act of 1934 was passed to enable allotments to be provided for unemployed persons at nominal rents and to be supplied with free seeds and manures. Persons in receipt of old age pensions are in receipt of such allowances by reason of their age and cannot be regarded as being unemployed persons within the meaning of the Act of 1934.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there are many existing plot-holders who have been commended by the Horticultural Society for the manner in which they have cultivated their plots but, when they reach 70 years of age, they will not get a renewal of the plots? I am not asking the Parliamentary Secretary to alter the regulations with regard to income. What I am asking is that those who are already in possession of plots should not have the plots taken off them when they come to the age of 70, after having cultivated them.
These persons can retain their plots, if they so desire, by paying an economic rent for them. Persons who are considered to be in retirement cannot apply for plots under the unemployed scheme.
How much a week is the economic rent?
That is another question.
What percentage of the 10/- would it be?
That is another question.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary consider that an old age pensioner should be deprived of his plot in view of his getting 10/- a week?
I have answered the Deputy.