asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is satisfied with the amount of money available to ACOT; if he will outline the proposals contained in the Government plan Building on Reality, 1985-87, vis-à-vis ACOT; and if he will make a statement on this situation.

While the amount of money made available to ACOT has to have regard to the constraints on State expenditure generally, it is nevertheless adequate to enable that body to carry out their statuatory obligations.

The Government's proposals in relation to ACOT are outlined in paragraph 2.37 and paragraphs 2.41 to 2.45 of the national plan. Action has already been taken in regard to some of the matters referred to in those paragraphs while the position in regard to the others is still under consideration.

I am a bit taken aback by the reply given by the Minister of State. I asked the Minister to outline proposals. The Minister of State has told us about certain things being put into action.

Apart from being taken aback, the Deputy should ask a question.

Is the Minister aware of the bureaucracy involved within ACOT? There is a shortage of instructors and a shortage of clerical staff. As a result, instructors who are badly needed on the ground to advise farmers are totally overloaded with bookwork. Can the Minister give any information——

This is a very long question.

——to the House about the provision of finance and clerical staff for ACOT in the coming year?

Staffing is a matter for ACOT. They have less bookwork now than ever before. With the revamped farm modernisation scheme there is no justification for all the office work the Deputy has been talking about. I had discussions with them recently and they are quite happy that they will be able to spend much more time out in the field. They are now giving a more specialised type of service. They are doing their job very efficiently. I attended a meeting with their directors and there was general satisfaction about the amount of progress they have made in a short time.

Can the Minister tell us the average number of farmers allocated to ordinary instructors and specialised horticultural instructors? Is he aware of the serious shortage of horticultural instructors?

That would seem to be a separate matter.

It all comes under ACOT.

If the Deputy were to discuss everything that is embraced by ACOT, we would need to change the Constitution and prolong the life of the Dáil.

I am sure the instructor has as many farmers as he can cope with.

He has more than he can cope with.

The horticultural side of it varies from one area to another. In parts of the country there is little or no horticulture. In other parts of the country horticulture is very intensive. Should people in an area decide to go into horticulture seriously, more horticultural instructors would have to be provided.

Does the Minister agree that the system of financing ACOT is very unsatisfactory? Last year a number of county councils withheld payment from ACOT and left them in a very serious position. Those councils claim that they had no liability to contribute towards ACOT.

I am moving on after a question from Deputy Noonan. I want to finish this group of questions.

(Limerick West): This is a very important question. Is the Minister aware of the client list being drawn up by ACOT and is he satisfied with this approach?

Under the national plan they were asked to concentrate their efforts on farmers with development potential. That does not mean anybody else who wants advice will be neglected. They are trying to concrentrate on people who are ready for development. They are being quite successful.

(Limerick West): One final supplementary.

We had a long debate on that topic last Thursday.

(Limerick West): Has the Minister any proposals to strengthen the functions of ACOT committees at county levels?

I have no such proposal here.

(Limerick West): Does the Minister consider it necessary to do so?

They are doing a good job. For the first time we have the farming organisations and the various farming groups involved. They are doing a very good job. I worked with them myself and I always thought we were very efficient.