asked the Minister for Agriculture whether a complaint has been made to him that practically all rye seed distributed by his inspectors in the barony of Erris, County Mayo, completely failed last year, and that in consequence of its failure hundreds of pounds were lost by the poor people of the district; whether any application has been made for compensation by the people affected, and whether he is prepared either to compensate them or provide them with seed for the 1937 crop free of charge.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Complaint Concerning Rye Seed.
Mr. Hogan (for Mr. Everett)
One plotholder in the barony of Erris has made application to the Department for compensation in respect of failure of seed rye supplied in 1936, and his application is being considered. In the spring of 1936, 763 cwts. of seed grain, including 19 cwts. of rye, were distributed amongst smallholders in the barony of Erris at less than half cost price. I am aware that in some cases the rye seed supplied did not give satisfactory results, but it is not correct to state that practically all rye seed distributed in that area failed, nor that the losses sustained amounted to hundreds of pounds.