Vol. 226 No. 7
(Cavan) asked the Minister for Finance the number of people who applied for forms under the rural improvement grant scheme since the acceptance of applications was suspended; when it is anticipated that these applications will be received; and how long it will take to deal with them.
120.
asked the Minister for Finance what is the present position regarding rural, minor and bog development schemes; if all three will be merged into one similar to the rural improvement scheme or if they will continue as in the past; and if he will make a statement in regard to these schemes.
121.
asked the Minister for Finance if any change is contemplated in the administration of the special employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the present position.
122.
asked the Minister for Finance if it is a fact that the Special Employment Schemes Office will go out of existence at the end of March and that its work will be transferred to other Departments; if it is intended to end relief schemes, bog development schemes and rural improvement schemes; if he will give the reasons for the closing down of this Office; and if he will make a general statement regarding the future payment of grants, the Departments which will do the work and the position of the existing staff of the Special Employment Schemes Office.
I propose, with your permission. a Cheann Comhairle, to reply to Questions Nos. 119 to 122, together.
As has already been announced, it has been decided to transfer the provisions for Urban and Rural Employment Schemes, Minor Employment and Bog Development Schemes and the Rural Improvements Scheme to the Vote for Local Government, and the provision for Miscellaneous Schemes to the Vote for Public Works and Buildings. The transfer will be effective from 1st April, 1967, and is designed to enable the Minister for Local Government to consider the re-organisation, in the interests of efficiency and economy, of the services transferred to him.
No immediate change is contemplated in the procedure for carrying out the schemes financed from the miscellaneous subhead. As regards the other subheads, the Minister for Local Government is reviewing the operation of the schemes, and in the meantime they are being operated on the same basis, and by the same staff, as they have been since the beginning of the present financial year.
Two thousand two hundred and fiftyfive inquiries for grant have been received since the acceptance of new applications under the Rural Improvements Scheme was suspended. A decision on the resumption of applications will be taken very shortly when the amount of the provision proposed for the coming year has been determined.
The following Questions, Nos. 123 to 127, inclusive, in the name of Deputy Oliver J. Flanagan, have been withdrawn.
Not only have they been postponed but, in view of the statement by the Minister for Agriculture in relation to the setting up of an advisory agricultural council, these Questions at this stage would be most undesirable. We are anxious to see the council get off on the right foot and, that being so, these questions and the replies to them would not be helpful. I would make an appeal to the Minister now not to execute the warrants for the arrest of the farmers.
The Deputy cannot have it both ways and, if he tries to have it both ways, I shall publish these questions tabled by the Deputy.
I want the council to get off on the right foot and——
Now, now.
Questions Nos. 123 to 127, inclusive, withdrawn.
