asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development if his attention has been drawn to an expression of opinion by Father James McDyer to the effect that small-scale local initiative based on community co-operative societies could contribute decisively to the creation of full employment; and the plans he has for the encouragement or direct establishment in pilot areas of such co-operative societies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Community Co-operative Societies.
13.
I have seen press reports on the statement by Father McDyer.
While there are no immediate plans for the establishment of co-operative societies over the country as a whole, it is the policy of the Government to encourage initiative in this area and it is recognised that local co-operatives can make a useful contribution to economic development.
One of the purposes of the Special Regional Development Fund, for which I am responsible and which is used to assist viable economic enterprises for which there is no other scheme of assistance in Western counties, is the encouragement of initiative by co-operatives in these counties.
The type of enterprises which Father McDyer appears to have in mind should benefit from the various State aids available for development in areas such as agriculture, industry, fishing and tourism.
Would the Minister agree that in spite of the existence of these aids, there is not much growth in the number or volume of co-operatives at this level and that the sort of co-operative with which Father McDyer is associated is an extreme rarity? With that in mind would not the Minister take some more active steps to bring to the attention of potential farmers of co-operatives the existence of the aids he has mentioned?
I assure the Deputy that I have had meetings already with members of co-operatives and with bodies interested in community development and that we are examining possible action in that area.
Would the Minister agree that there are some areas which, for historical or other reasons, have not been associated strongly with the co-operative movement in the past and would he not consider the possibility of some direct State intervention or initiative in order to create and encourage co-operatives, perhaps even with the intention of their being handed back afterwards?
I am not clear as to which areas the Deputy has in mind but I should be grateful if he would supply information regarding any area he may have in mind. Such information would be taken into account.
I am sure the Minister will agree that there are some areas that are associated strongly with the co-operative movement and which have had success in that regard in the past while there are other areas in which the movement has been a good deal weaker.
I do not wish to enter into a debate on the whole history and development of the co-operative movement.
I am calling the next question.