asked the Minister for Lands if he will introduce a new retirement scheme for farmers as the present scheme is not attractive or availed of by landowners; and if a new attractive scheme will be introduced at an early date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farmers' Retirement Scheme.
283.
The answer is in the negative. I would point out that, in all, 33 landowners have to date intimated their willingness to participate in the life annuity scheme authorised by section 6, Land Act, 1965. In fact, life annuities have been set up and are already being paid in 22 of these cases; in the remaining cases the necessary legal formalities are at present in train. The position to date, therefore—while not as satisfactory as I would wish— is by no means discouraging. The possibility of finding ways and means to enhance the attractiveness of this voluntary scheme is being kept constantly in mind. For the moment I am hopeful that as the scheme becomes more widely known—especially through the stimulus afforded by those who have already successfully participated—the appeal of its benefits will spread to an increasing number of eligible landowners.
In view of the fact that this scheme is one of the most important schemes operated by the Department of Lands for many years and in view of the small number of people who have availed of it would the Minister take steps to ensure that more people will avail of it? Could the Minister say whether agricultural instructors and people in the various advisory services are making this scheme known to farmers?
I welcome the Deputy's suggestions. I would be less than candid if I did not admit that the extent to which the scheme has been availed of to date has been disappointing. The Deputy may have a very good suggestion in regard to officials other than Land Commission officials being asked to bring the scheme to the notice of suitable people, elderly or otherwise, who wish to get out of farming. The only thing I would add is that obviously if the response to the scheme, which of course is voluntary, does not pick up in the next year or two we will have to re-think the matter altogether.