asked the Minister for Lands the number of applications under Directive 160 received to date in respect of the retirement scheme for farmers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farmers Retirement Scheme.
7.
(Cavan): The number of inquiries received to date in respect of the farmers voluntary retirement scheme is around 2,000 and the number of completed applications lodged in the Land Commission is 600.
Is the Minister satisfied with this response?
(Cavan): I am reasonably satisfied. The number of inquiries has been very encouraging and I think that 600 completed application forms submitted to the Land Commission is a fair response to date.
What is the delay from when an application is made to when it is processed? In many cases farmers would be willing to dispose of land quickly——
(Cavan): Does the Deputy mean what is the delay in time or what causes the delay?
The delay in time?
(Cavan): If the application form is completely in order when received there should not be much delay and it should be possible to get into a discussion on price very shortly, but if there are queries arising as to whether the application fitted into the scheme those inquiries would have to be made and that would take a little time.
The Minister said 600 applications were processed.
(Cavan): No; 600 applications have been received.
When they are being processed is it optional for a man who is renting land to go for the current price or for a rent according to the agricultural index up and down over a 12-year period? This question is being asked by everybody.
(Cavan): This does not arise on the question but I would point out to the Deputy that people who decide to rent their land or lease their land under this scheme will have to negotiate the terms of the lease with the proposed lessee. It is a matter for agreement between the two.
They can do that?
(Cavan): They can, of course.
Can the Minister say of the 600 applications how many have reached the stage where price agreement has been finalised?
(Cavan): I have not that information. Quite candidly, I concede that it would probably be in very few cases. The scheme came into operation on 1st May and presumably it was a few weeks before any forms were received. The Deputy will appreciate that it is likely that queries would arise on most of the forms. However the House may take it that, as far as I can encourage or persuade the Land Commission to cut out delays and to process applications, I will do so. I realise, perhaps more than anyone else, that the expedition with which these applications are dealt with is a matter of great importance.
May I ask the Minister——
I appreciate the Deputy has just entered the House but I would inform him there has been a considerable number of supplementaries. The Chair is anxious not to delay unduly on any one question.
If I may I should like to ask the Minister one short question regarding the retirement scheme for farmers. Does he consider that under Directive No. 160 we will have a better response from the farming community than under the old retirement scheme of the Land Commission?
(Cavan): I certainly hope so. To date we have had a much better response. There is no comparison between the two schemes.
Is the Minister satisfied——
Deputy Allen asked for leave to put one supplementary question and the Chair granted it. Is the Deputy going to impose still further?
I would be grateful if I were allowed one final supplementary. Is the Minister happy that farmers will accept this scheme?
(Cavan): I am reasonably happy that farmers will accept the scheme but it is far too soon to pass judgment on it. The scheme came into operation only on 1st May.
I am calling Question No. 8.