asked the Minister for Agriculture (a) the total amount of money paid to Ireland from the EEC under the farm modernisation scheme for the year ended 31 December 1982; (b) the estimate of the loss of EEC moneys due to the suspension of the farm modernisation schemes for the year ending 31 December 1983; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Reimbursement from the EEC in respect of expenditure under the farm modernisation scheme in the year ended 31 December 1982 has not yet been received. It is estimated at £7.2 million.

The modifications to the scheme which were announced in the budget will result in a reduction of some £2.7 million in reimbursement from the EEC next year.

Is the Minister aware of the serious damage being done to the morale of the farming community because of the termination of that scheme, and the serious damage being done to the credibility of farm development officers whose word is no longer believed because they gave commitments to farmers that the work would qualify for grant aid? In view of this substantial loss of EEC moneys to the economy will he reconsider the position of that scheme?

As I have said, written approval has been necessary over the years. If the approval was not written on the day in question in February, a grant could be paid.

If the Minister is introducing these modernisation grants in November, what confidence can any farmer have in the Minister? If he wants to do a bookkeeping exercise next February or March, those farmers will be sold down the glen by the Minister, his Taoiseach and by the Minister for Finance. It is disgraceful.