asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will indicate in respect of the farm modernisation scheme the portion of the grants paid from EEC funds to (i) commercial farmers (ii) developing farmers and (iii) transitional farmers.

187.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if EEC funds will contribute to the cost of administering the farm modernisation scheme.

188.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if EEC funds will be made available to his Department or to the county committees of agriculture to finance the extra administration costs involved in the farm modernisation scheme.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 186, 187 and 188 together.

Recoupment from EEC funds at the rate of 25 per cent of eligible expenditure will apply in respect of investment aids and guidance premiums paid to development farmers only, grants for the keeping of farm accounts and launching aids for farmer groups. EEC financing will not apply to costs of administration either at central or local level.

That is the answer to Deputy Collin's earlier question.

189.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of applications received so far under the farm modernisation scheme.

The number of completed applications under the farm modernisation scheme received up to and including 1st March, 1974, is 823.

Having regard to the unfortunate strike that is on at the moment and the lack of action in the advisory services, can the Minister tell us if the 823 applications are being processed? Can the Minister do anything of a temporary nature to get over the impasse? Can he do anything to help those who are applying for grants under the farm buildings and farm improvement schemes to have the applications processed in the old way until the dispute is settled?

Arrangements are being made to have them sufficiently processed to let them get on with the job.

Is the Minister trying to tell us that applications under this scheme are being processed?

Not fully but sufficiently so that they will not be held up.

Can the Minister state if farmers who are interested in applying for grants under the old farm improvement schemes should apply as they did in the past?

No, that cannot be done any longer but applications received will be carried through. In the normal way there is a backlog of nearly 12 months work under the old scheme, so that the hold-up will be minimal.

Does the Minister admit to a 12-months delay?

I shall not tell the Deputy what he might have to admit to.

190.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if 40 per cent only of western farmers are likely to benefit from EEC grants; and if he has any plans to assist smaller farmers.

All farmers are eligible for grants under one or other section of the farm modernisation scheme. It is not practicable, at this stage, to make any firm estimates of the number of applications likely to be received or the categories into which they will fall. The scheme includes a regime of aids for smaller farmers designed to help those who wish to remain in farming to expand their resources and increase their incomes. Farmers in mountain and less favoured areas will, of course, benefit under the terms of the directive for assisting agriculture in such areas which is expected to come into operation within the next year.

191.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if larger grants for the transitional farmers will be made available under the new farm modernisation scheme as many small farmers do not qualify under the scheme at present.

The terms of EEC Directive 159/72 require member states to operate a selective system of aids for development farmers. The aids provided under the farm modernisation scheme for farmers not yet able to reach development status are generous and only marginally different from those for development farmers. In view of the selectivity principle imposed by the directive it is not possible to increase these aids.

Some farmers consider a case could be made to have higher grants in the farm modernisation scheme.

In which category? As the Deputy knows, there are three categories.

I am speaking with regard to Directive 159/72.

As regards the category described as the traditional farmers, we have the highest level of aid in any of the EEC countries. What the Deputy has said is not justified.

192.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that there is a delay in introducing the new farm modernisation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The farm modernisation scheme was introduced on the date intended, namely, 1st February, 1974.