asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the action he proposes to take to have the farm modernisation scheme rendered more suitable and more acceptable to Irish farmers, particularly to farmers in the 12 western counties.
49.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Modernisation Scheme.
48.
Mr. Kitt
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the action he proposes to take to have the farm modernisation scheme rendered more suitable to Irish needs and more acceptable to the farmers.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.
On the basis of experience during the first year of operation of the scheme, proposals have been made to the EEC Commission for a reappraisal of a number of aspects of Directive 159/72 on which the scheme is based. Discussions on these proposals have already been initiated with the Commission in the context of a general review of the directive which the Commission is undertaking. I would hope that the outcome of these discussions will be such as to enable us to introduce desirable improvements in the scheme and its operation.
I am glad the Parliamentary Secretary recognises that the scheme is completely unsuitable but I should like to know when we can expect to have the proposed changes in Directive 159? They would want to be drastic changes.
When the report is at hand the Deputy will be made aware of the changes.
When will we know?
I cannot give a definite date.
I hope the Minister, and the Parliamentary Secretary, now realise that when we described this scheme as being unsuitable we were not throwing a spanner in the works.
The scheme is in its infancy and, like all schemes, is subject to review. We have made representations to Brussels to change the scheme. It is natural that all such schemes should be reviewed and the Minister has put forward his report on the review to the Commission and the Council of Ministers.
Am I to take it that the Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary now realise that changes are necessary?
The Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary realise that reviews are necessary on all schemes. What was appropriate last year may not be appropriate this year or next year. The Government carry out reviews daily.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that if the scheme was properly applied to conditions, especially in the west of Ireland, in the first instance there would be no necessity for a review and that the necessity for proper application and the taking into account of conditions in the west were apparent from the start?
The Deputy is incorrect. The scheme was approved and then the question of review arose as a result of the representations made. The scheme was operated in line with the thinking of the EEC but time was limited because we wanted to get the scheme under way for the 1974-75 period. It was taken for granted that in the early years of its operation this scheme would be reviewed annually. Other countries have applied for a review also. There is no question of the scheme being implemented without being given full consideration.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that the scheme ab initio was totally inadequate for all purposes?
No. I am sure that if Deputy Lynch was in charge of the Government the scheme would not be as elaborate as it is at present and that the question of review would not arise because Fianna Fáil did not believe in review. We believe in reviews and I believe schemes of such importance should be reviewed from time to time. I have no doubt that further reviews will be made as they are required.
50.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of grants paid to farmers categorised under the farm modernisation scheme in 1975; the number in County Cork; and the amount of money involved in each case.
In the period 1st January to 20th October, 1975, 2,921 grants totalling £1,731,557 have been paid to farmers categorised under the farm modernisation scheme.
The corresponding figures for County Cork are 137 grants amounting to £110,305.
How many grants went to Cork?
The total number of grants was 137. Most of the grants paid by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the current year were in respect of schemes approved prior to the introduction of the farm modernisation scheme. In fact works commenced before 1st February, 1974, and applicants have until 30th September, 1976, to complete such jobs. We extended this time because of representations made to the Department to have the time for qualification under the old scheme extended as far as possible.
51.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will consider introducing a national grant scheme to cater for a certain category of farmers and part-time farmers who cannot qualify for the farm modernisation scheme.
Pending the outcome of the discussions which have been initiated with the EEC Commission on certain aspects of Directive 159/72, I do not contemplate any changes in the system of aids to farmers provided for under the farm modernisation scheme.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider that no matter what adjustments are made to the present scheme he should scrap it entirely? Irrespective of what adjustments are made even, 10 per cent in the west of Ireland will not qualify. Would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider it important to introduce a scheme on the lines of the small farm incentive bonus scheme?
We are not entitled to do that. We voted to become a member of the EEC and our membership carries certain obligations.
We are entitled to it.
We are trying to honour these obligations, to get the laws governing such schemes changed and modified through negotiation rather than taking unilateral action. We are not entitled to take that type of action and the Deputy should know it.
We certainly are, if we are prepared to pay for it. As a man from a small farm I would like to know the Parliamentary Secretary's views.
My view is that the west is being looked after very well by the Coalition Government and I have no doubt that within the next fortnight——
That is not an answer to my question.
Order, please.
What about the western development board for south-west Cork and Kerry?
That is a separate matter.
Is it doing all right?
We must proceed with today's business. The remaining questions will appear on the Order Paper for the next sitting day.