asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is prepared to make grants under the farm improvements scheme, including those for the erection or improvement of farm buildings, applicable to agricultural land, as distinct from building sites in the Urban District of Belturbet, County Cavan, in view of the extensive acreage contained therein, in relation to the size of the town and the population thereof.

Grants under the farm improvements scheme and under the recently-introduced farm buildings scheme are payable to the rated occupiers of holdings devoted solely or mainly to agriculture. Both schemes provide that preference will be given to applicants who earn their living solely or mainly by farming. Subject to the exercise of this preference the occupier of an agricultural holding, any part of which is situated within the boundaries of an urban district, would be eligible for a grant.

Can the Minister say when the farm improvements scheme for the present year will be advertised?

I cannot at present. I would ask the Deputy to put down a question about that.