asked the Minister for Finance whether he will state if the Agricultural Credit Corporation has yet taken steps to grant loans to farmers whose land is not vested, or who hold under temporary agreement, and, if not, whether there is any other means of helping this class of farmer, so that holdings could be improved and production increased.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - LOANS TO UNVESTED PURCHASERS.
The Agricultural Credit Corporation inform me that they have made many loans to farmers whose lands are not yet vested, and numerous other cases of this kind are under consideration where, it is hoped, loans can be made. The Corporation are in close touch with the Irish Land Commission in regard to these matters, and arrangements have been made to facilitate as far as possible applicants for loans whose lands are not yet vested.
As regards the cases of applicants who hold their lands only under a "Letting for Temporary Convenience," it is not possible for these farmers to give a valid charge on their lands to the Corporation as security for a loan, but the Corporation are prepared in such cases to consider applications on the basis of personal security. In addition, farmers of this class may obtain money from Agricultural Credit Societies which, as the Deputy is aware, are assisted by the loan of money from the State on easy terms.