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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 7 Mar 1974

Vol. 270 No. 14

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grain Storage Grants.

202.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if more favourable terms are available to millers and merchants to provide storage space for grain than are available to farmers for similar purposes; and if he is prepared to increase the grants for the latter to enable farmers to produce and store their own grain for feeding purposes.

The average rate of grant under my Department's farm modernisation scheme for grain stores on farms is likely to be greater than the average rate of grant by the Industrial Development Authority towards grain storage connected with manufacturing processes.

I am precluded from increasing the rates of grant under the farm modernisation scheme because they are the maximum allowable by the European Economic Community.

Did I hear the Minister say that grants are likely to be greater?

Yes. One can never be certain what the IDA will give. We know what the maximum IDA grants are but anybody who has been dealing with the IDA as I have over the years knows that you do not just reach the maximum grants.

Is it not true to say that in the past grants were much more readily available to merchants than to farmers?

That was so when the Deputy's party were in Government. Now that has changed.

What has the Minister done to change it?

We have better grants now.

Under EEC regulations. That is the only reason why they are there.

The Minister is a great bluffer.

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