asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if a person who purchases a bulk milk tank through his creamery and pays for it by instalments for seven years, after which period it becomes his property, is entitled to a grant from his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Tank Grants.
130.
A person who purchases a new bulk milk tank and pays for it by instalments may qualify for a grant under the terms of the farm modernisation scheme.
I am delighted to hear that because the information given to me was that they do not.
A person who purchases a new bulk milk tank and pays for it by instalments may qualify for a grant under the terms of the farm modernisation scheme.
The Parliamentary Secretary said "may". My information is that they do not and I want to make it clear, so that I can now say: "This is wrong; they do qualify."
They do qualify, yes.
That is all right; I am quite happy with that.
Did I hear the Parliamentary Secretary correct that answer and substitute the word "may" for the word "will"?
You "may". But to qualify for any grant, one must comply with regulations.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary substitute the word "do" for the word "may"?
I think I put it very plainly in my question where I said: if he becomes the owner. That is the vital point. There should be an answer to that, either "yes" or "no". I do not think it should be "may".
He does, yes. But the Deputy will appreciate that there are certain regulations governing all grants.
I know that.
Once one qualifies under the regulations, one will receive a grant for this bulk milk tank, just as one would receive a grant for any other type of farm improvement or work.
The fact that one purchases it through the creamery and one does not become the owner for seven years will not disqualify one from a grant? That is the vital question.
If you buy it. The Deputy is talking in terms of leasing a tank. That would not qualify one because one would not be the owner. But let us say one gets the money, or purchases it on an instalment system, one will qualify for the grant. But one must be the owner of the tank.
Then I cannot qualify for seven years?
One can be paid proportionately as one pays one's instalments. It is laid down for the advantage of the purchaser, but leasing is out.