Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for taking this Commencement matter. It relates to TAMS II and my inquiry is about the rates of inspections in that scheme. It is all about the timescale and getting work done before the winter and the spring time work.

The TAMS II scheme was launched by the Government during the summer. It is a €170 million investment, which is magnificent, and is a continuation of the support for agriculture which this Government has always shown. I refer to the dairy schemes - the dairy expansion scheme and the young farmer scheme. This is an exciting time for agriculture. It is forecast that 9,500 extra jobs will be created and there will be an extra €1.3 billion in exports. There were also changes in the budget in respect of farm partnerships and taxes which will support young farmers. We must have young people getting into the industry.

The price of liquid milk is not good at present but that is a global issue. Hopefully, matters will improve over the next year. There have been major investments by our two biggest co-operatives, Kerry Group and Glanbia, and they have created many extra jobs. They believe the industry will continue to thrive.Since quotas have disappeared this year, it is predicted that there will be growth of between 20% and 50% in the sector. It is important that the Minister of State clarify the matter as there is a timescale in getting work done. Dairy farmers have their planning permissions in place and applied to participate in the scheme. However, if their farms have not been inspected, the work cannot commence. As it is envisaged that 2016 will be the year of major expansion, with new dairies, stock facilities and so forth, it is important that these inspections be carried out in the short term. If it continues until December, works will not happen over Christmas and calving will begin between January and March. It is important, if the Minister of State can do so, to deploy more staff to the inspection scheme to have as many farmers as possible cleared in order that their works can commence. It would also take pressure off the building contractors involved.