asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why farm development grants have been refused to a person (name supplied) in County Laois for the re-provision of a double haybarn and a double lean-to which were accidentally burned down.

Normal prudence should mean that farmers take out adequate insurance on their buildings and installations against fire or other similar hazards so as to cover the cost of replacements in the event of loss. Grants will not, therefore, be payable to farmers on new constructions which are simply replacing buildings destroyed by fire or other mishap against which insurance is both possible and desirable.