asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of difficulties which have arisen in relation to the payment of grants under the group fodder scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Group Fodder Scheme.
42.
I am not aware of any such difficulties. If, however, specific cases are brought to my attention, I will arrange to have them fully investigated without delay.
Is the Minister not aware of the difficulties that have arisen in relation to the requirement that the applications must be lodged with the county committees before the machinery is purchased? Has the Minister heard of any such difficulties?
I have not heard any complaints about the operation of the scheme.
I am aware of four cases in my area where the farmers were not advised by the adviser about this requirement. Would the Minister accept that because those farmers were not advised of this requirement and have been denied the benefit of the grant under this scheme that there is negligence on the part of someone and that those farmers should not be denied the benefit of this scheme?
Perhaps it is negligence on the part of the farmers themselves because no matter what scheme is introduced there will always be people who, for one reason or another, will not have their applications in in time and various excuses are given. There has to be a certain closing date for receipt of those applications.
Would the Minister accept that if a farmer is taking advantage of this group fodder scheme, in consultation with his agricultural instructor, at the very least he should be advised of the requirement that his application should be lodged before the machinery is purchased?
I would certainly agree. That was always a condition of the scheme.
Would the Minister accept that if the farmer has not been so advised and produces the receipt for his machinery with his application that he should not be deprived of the benefit of the grant under this scheme?
It is very hard to say because there will be individual cases. No matter what scheme is introduced there will always be people who will be excluded from the scheme for one reason or another. If the county committees of agriculture publish their notices in the local papers and the Department publish them in the national papers there is no reason why those people should not be fully informed and should be aware of the closing date, that it is necessary for them to have their applications submitted and to have their applications very high up before they purchase the machinery.