asked the Minister for Agriculture whether grants are available from the Technical Assistance Fund or elsewhere for the employment of consultants for the improvement of efficiency in agricultural production.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Production: Employment of Consultants.
87.
Grants for projects to improve the efficiency of Irish agriculture, including the provision of consultants, have been available in recent years under the Technical Assistance Programme financed from American Grant Counterpart. This Programme, which was initiated in 1957, was intended to last about five years and the bulk of the funds allocated for it have now either been spent or committed for specified projects to be undertaken in the next year or so.
Are there any funds at all left?
I have told the Deputy.
The Minister said "the bulk".
The bulk of the funds allocated for it have now either been spent or committed.
The bulk. What is left? Are there some funds left?
It is either spent or committed, I have said.
The whole fund ?
Maybe not entirely.
How does anybody go about the application for such portion as is left?
I was just wondering what project the Deputy had in mind because we are not sure that any project has been held up for want of funds.
Therefore, if a person applies to the Minister, he will be able to get the funds?
We will treat him kindly, anyhow.
That is unusual.