asked the Minister for Agriculture when he expects to be in a position to apply the bovine T.B. eradication scheme to County Cork, and whether, in view of the demands now being made for the improvement of cattle byres in milk-supplying areas in the vicinity of towns, he will state the basic and ultimate reconstruction grants for byres up to the requisite anti-T.B. standards.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bovine T.B.
The bovine T.B. eradication scheme has been in operation throughout the country since 1st September, 1954. The Deputy may, however, have in mind the intensive measures under the scheme which apply in County Clare, County Sligo and in the Bansha area in County Tipperary. It is intended to extend these measures ultimately to the whole country. Our resources are already very heavily committed in the present areas of intensive eradication and it would not be possible at this stage to add to these areas.
I presume also that in the second part of the question, the Deputy is referring to what has become known as the "the double byre grant". Under my Department's farm building scheme the primary grants are:— in the case of a new cow byre, £6 per cow for which accommodation is provided, subject to a maximum grant of £90 where accommodation is provided for 15 cows, or more, and for the improvement or repair of existing cow byres, 50 per cent. of the approved estimated cost of the labour required, subject to a maximum grant equal to three-fifths of the grant for a new byre. Grants at double these rates are now available to participants in the bovine T.B. eradication scheme in all areas throughout the country who also fulfil the requirements of the farm buildings scheme.