asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether he has received representations from the parish of Aughnamullen West, County Monaghan, to be included in the pilot scheme operating in the three adjoining parishes; and, if so, whether he proposes to meet this request.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Monaghan Pilot Scheme.
30.
I have received representations recently for the inclusion of this and other areas of County Monaghan in the Pilot Area Programme. Having already authorised the extension of the original Monaghan the extension of the original Monaghan pilot area to about three times its size, I do not contemplate a further extension at this stage.
Inasmuch as this is substantially the revival of the Parish Plan and inasmuch as three such Parish Plans have been closed down by one of the Minister's predecessors, would he consider if Aughnamullen could be attached to any existing pilot area or whether a new pilot area could be evolved by which Aughnamullen could be attached?
I am not quite sure what the Deputy actually said, but, judging from the question, I presume it is something to do with the revival of a Parish Plan. Whether that is something Deputy Dillon still dreams about or not, I do not know. This particular area cannot for the moment be included in the pilot area in Monaghan. As in every other county, there is only one pilot area in Monaghan. The whole idea was to build up from quite a small unit. The pilot areas were started to find out what assistance and aids are of most benefit to the smallholders. We have now decided to extend the pilot areas, to try out new things, to find out the difficulties dealing with larger areas and, ultimately, to expand from this central point rather than picking other pilot areas and merely repeating the experience we have gained since the commencement of the first pilot area.
I take it from what the Minister is now saying that, as Aughnamullen adjoins an existing pilot area, the next step would be the extension of the existing pilot area to take in adjoining areas? Would the Minister prognosticate any likely date on which the pilot area in Monaghan might be expanded to cover Aughnamullen?
As the Deputy is probably aware, over a year ago the pilot area was expanded in size by 200 per cent. The result of this new expansion is that the pilot area now adjoins Aughnamullen. If there is to be further expansion outwards, obviously, as the Deputy assumed, Aughnamullen would be in line for inclusion in the next stage of expansion.
I shall so inform my constituents.
I am sure they will be delighted.