asked the Minister for Finance the position of applicants who apply for loans to the ACC to acquire land and who have no money invested in that body.
36.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - ACC Loans.
35.
asked the Minister for Finance whether farmers who have invested their savings to develop their farms and who have not invested in the ACC will now qualify for any loans from that body; and, if so, the headings under which loans will be granted.
Mr. Kenny
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 36 together.
The board of the ACC has determined that the corporation will consider applications for land purchase loans from farmers who are working to an approved development plan for which extra land is essential. Such applications will be considered even though the applicant is not an investor in the corporation.
Applications for loans other than land purchase will be considered by the ACC irrespective of whether or not the applicant has funds invested with the corporation. Such loans are available for all productive purposes, including purchase of livestock, feedingstuffs, fertilisers and seeds, machinery and dairy equipment.
In other words, the condition about investments in the corporation applies only to land purchase loans and then only to farmers who are not operating an approved development plan.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that it has gone out that the smaller type of farmer, who has an investment with nobody, as the Parliamentary Secretary knows from his own area, because he has no money to invest, will find that this excuse will be used—some say it is being used but I have no proof of it —by the ACC in order not to give them money?
Mr. Kenny
Who spread this rumour?
I did not anyway.
Mr. Kenny
I did not either.
I cannot tell the Parliamentary Secretary whether it is rumour or fact, but there is this feeling abroad that unless you have an investment you are out. Somebody would want to clarify the matter quickly.
37.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that a small farmer in Mallow, County Cork (name supplied) was refused an application form to apply for a loan to purchase land and was informed that it was not present policy to sanction such loans; and if he will request the ACC to consider the application with a view to granting the loan.
Mr. Kenny
I am informed by the ACC that when the person named by the Deputy approached the corporation for a loan for land purchase, he had already made arrangements for a loan with another lending body. It was clear that he did not fall into the categories eligible for land purchase loans. In the circumstances the ACC considered that there was no point in giving him an application form. I have been in touch with the ACC and they inform me that they have since reconsidered this man's position and that they regret that they are not able to give him a loan.