asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of money paid out to farmers in 1987 under the western package; the amounts of money under each individual category; and the administration costs of the scheme for the same year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Western Package.
7.
The Deputy will appreciate that all aid under the western package is not paid directly to farmers. The amounts provided by the Exchequer for the operation of the package in 1987 was as follows:
|
£m. |
|
|
Water Supplies |
2.4 |
|
Local and Farm Roads |
6.5 |
|
Electricity Supplies |
.8 |
|
Land Improvement |
3.6 |
|
On-Farm Investment |
.5 |
|
Forestry Development |
1.9 |
|
Agricultural Training |
.2 |
|
Total |
15.9 |
The implementation of the western package forms only part of the duties of the staff engaged in the general work of the Departments concerned. Accordingly it is not possible to give a breakdown of the actual cost of operating the package.
In the light of the Minister's reply, would he accept that, taking the low level of public expenditure on actual on-farm activities in relation to agricultural output, there is an absolute need to change the ground rules drastically to avail of these highly funded schemes from Brussels?
It is another question on the western package from now on. This was 1987. It is because I agree with what the Deputy says that I negotiated a new flexibility to ensure that, where funds are not being picked up on one part of the package, under the review procedures we now have with the Commission, they can be picked up on the other part of the package.
Would the Minister not accept when he is talking about the money being available in 1987 that the greatest concern amongst the people living in the disadvantaged areas is that there is no scheme at the moment because even though a scheme has been put through the Commission by the Council it is not operational? Can the Minister hold out any hope to the people who are constantly raising this issue? Are the Government deliberately stopping the scheme this year? When will the new revised scheme become operational?
Let us return to the real world now. Following very tough negotiations I concluded a special package after the second last Council meeting which was a major breakthrough. When that covers a whole range of Departments and different activities in different Departments, with a major new dimension specifically for Ireland, it is unreal to criticise us for not having it all under way immediately.
When will it be under way?
If the Deputy ever has the opportunity to negotiate such a package himself he will know that the statement he is making is not based on reality. We are sending the details of the scheme to the Commission this very day and it involves a number of Departments. We have to get sanction from the Commission for each and every element of change including the rates of payment of grant. I would think we are talking about the latter half of this year.
Could the Minister be more precise?
No. As the Deputy's colleagues will tell him, negotiations just do not conclude on a precise day at a precise time. I wish they did.