asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will continue the farm improvements scheme until such time as the farm modernisation scheme is in operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Improvements Scheme.
11.
I do not propose to continue the farm improvements scheme separately from the farm modernisation scheme which I introduced on 1st February.
Seeing that the farm modernisation scheme is not really in operation as a result of the dispute at present going on with the farm advisory services, perhaps the Minister might consider allowing the farm improvements scheme to continue until such time as the farm modernisation scheme gets off the ground?
Strictly speaking the farm improvements scheme ended some 25 years ago, in 1949, but I assume the Deputy is referring really to the farm buildings scheme, the water supply scheme and the land project. I think Deputy Collins is probably aware that there has always been a backlog of applications of nearly a year. Therefore, there is no question of a standstill. There is an immense amount of work to be done on those schemes and all the applications in before February 1st are being dealt with in the normal way. Even the new schemes are not being held up completely.
I think the Minister will probably agree with me when I say that there are a number of applicants under the new farm modernisation scheme who are confused as to the classification into which they will be put. As they do not know their classification, they are not aware of what percentage grants they will be getting.
That is true but they will not get a worse grant than they got previously. They are assured of that.
Does the Minister hope to sort out his problems regarding the implementation of the farm modernisation scheme with the agricultural advisory services in the near future?
I know that the people in the advisory services are reasonable and, of course, I am always hopeful.
Is the Minister aware that all these applications have to be processed under the farm modernisation scheme? I think what Deputy Collins meant was that, while awaiting settlement of this dispute, the old scheme could not be carried on, that is, the farm buildings scheme. I know there is a backlog. But there are people who want to apply now for the farm modernisation scheme and they have to be processed through that scheme and no processing is going on at the moment.
There is sufficient processing to allow the urgent part of the scheme to go ahead.
I would ask Deputies not to delay unduly on any question. I am giving a fair amount of latitude, I think the House will agree.
Would the Minister be in a position to say whether or not he and his Department have given any thought or consideration to the proposal of working out, or having available, a more simplified document of application for consideration of grants under the farm modernisation scheme?
I told the Deputy a week or so ago that we were looking at this to see if it could be made less formidable looking.