asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the grants under the land reclamation project in cases where a farmer opts to carry out the work himself are not as generous as in cases where the work is performed by his Department; and, if so, if he will take steps to improve the grants in the former case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Reclamation Project.
Mr. Walsh
Where the Department does the work for the farmer, the farmer does not receive a grant; he makes a contribution to the Department up to a maximum of £12 an acre. Farmers who do the work themselves are entitled, having regard to the nature and value of the work they do, to earn grants up to a maximum of £20 an acre. Although in both cases estimates are prepared on the basis of current costs of labour and materials the grants earned by farmers average approximately £7 3s. per acre. In these circumstances I do not consider that adequate grounds exist for changing the present basis of the grants.
Is the Minister aware that where the Department carry out a complete scheme of field drainage, in many cases it costs over £40, perhaps £50, and thus the farmer's contribution will not be more than one-fourth of the total cost? If a farmer were to carry out a similar scheme, his contribution would be in the nature of more than 50 per cent. of the cost inasmuch as he would receive only a £20 grant whereas the total cost might be £50.
I wonder is the Minister aware that when he brought in his Estimate and used the axe on this scheme, Deputy Cogan was one of those who supported him.
Of course, I did.
Mr. Walsh
In reply to Deputy Cogan, at the moment most of the bigger schemes are done by the Department and, as I have already pointed out in reply to the question, the average grant is £7 3s. under the A scheme, so that indicates that the work being carried out under the A scheme is smaller work.
Would not that indicate that farmers are unwilling to undertake a complete scheme of field drainage, that they are only doing small minor works and leaving the bigger works to the Department?
Did I understand the Minister to say that the average contribution per acre by the Department is £7 3s.? How does he reconcile that with the statements made in this House that it was costing up to £100 per acre——
£500.
——and, in the Irish Press, £500 an acre?
Mr. Walsh
I think the Deputy is under a misapprehension regarding the two schemes, A and B.
No, I am under no misapprehension. The cost to the Department of reclamation averages, according to the Minister, £7 3s. per acre in respect of land done by farmers themselves. What is the average cost per acre in respect of land done by the Department?
Mr. Walsh
That is another question.
But what is it? Do you not know?
Mr. Walsh
I do.
You are afraid to tell.
Mr. Walsh
I am not afraid to tell.
You are afraid to tell.
The paralysis of North-West Dublin is affecting his tongue now.