asked the Minister for Agriculture the amount outstanding from the rescue package allocation of £17½ million in view of the lowering of interest rates; and the proposals he has for its expenditure.
Written Answers. - Rescue Package.
403.
When the reduced interest scheme for farmers in severe financial difficulty was introduced in 1982 it was estimated that the maximum cost to the State through direct payments or tax credits to the financial institutions concerned would be about £37 million. In view of trends in interest rates in the recent past the actual cost is now likely to be somewhat less than that figure. However, no specific allocation has been made for the overall cost of the scheme and the question of reallocating any unexpended balance does not, therefore, arise.