Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister referred to the 2017 scheme. When that was announced, I said that the money available would not be enough to meet demand. I was ridiculed when I said it. Unfortunately, my finger was on the pulse and the amount of subscribers for that scheme greatly exceeded the money available. The Minister talked about whether this is for working capital or long-term capital investment. The reality is that all sectors are under pressure for working capital. Merchant credit is also a major issue. Co-operatives and private businesses are carrying much of that credit at the moment but they will not be able to carry it in the medium to long term. In the aftermath of the extreme weather conditions over the past six to eight months, the real pressure is for working capital. The Minister must recognise that. This scheme needs to be skewed in that way for people who are under immediate pressure to clear their bills. On the past couple of occasions we had the opportunity to discuss these issues, we referred to the mental pressure on farmers and farm families. Farmers being able to clear their bills would be a major achievement in relieving that pressure. If farmers get access to working capital, they would be able to achieve that objective.

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