Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 4

Written Answers. - Land Commission Annuities.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

174 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the total number of farmers paying Irish Land Commission annuities up to 31 December 2000; the number of farmers in arrears; the amount of such arrears; if he will consider a once-off reduction in payment of annuities to encourage farmers to finally pay off the annuities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29188/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

The annual amount of land annuity payable by the 6,800 farmers involved at 31 December 2000 was £1.7 million. At the same date, 6,144 of them had arrears of £4.75 million.

The position regarding the most appropriate methods of annuity collection, which could include buy-out arrangements, continues to be regularly reviewed.