asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (1) how much money has been advanced from State funds to date under the Creamery Act, 1928, for the purchase of creameries; (2) how many such creameries were involved, where they were situated, and the purchase price of the concern in each case; (3) how many such creameries have since been (a) sold and transferred to co-operative societies; (b) closed down, and (c) remain on hands and are now worked by the Dairy Disposals Board.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Creameries.
(1) The amount advanced from the Exchequer up to the 31st March, 1938, in respect of the purchase of creamery properties by the Dairy Disposal Company was £514,825. (2) Seventy-one central creameries (of which 20 had been owned by co-operative societies), and 144 auxiliaries (of which 14 had been owned by co-operative societies), were purchased by the company up to the 31st March, 1938. These properties were situated as follows:—
|
County. |
Centrals. |
Auxiliaries. |
|
|
Clare |
1 |
2 |
|
|
Cork |
23 |
43 |
|
|
Kerry |
26 |
22 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
2 |
|
|
Limerick |
4 |
45 |
|
|
Tipperary |
11 |
27 |
|
|
Waterford |
3 |
3 |
|
|
Totals |
71 |
144 |
It is not the practice to disclose the price paid for individual creamery properties. (3) Of the properties referred to at (2) above, 19 central creameries and 30 auxiliaries have been transferred to co-operative societies, 26 central creameries and 68 auxiliaries have been closed down, and ten central creameries and 62 auxiliaries (including 16 converted centrals) have been retained and operated by the company.
In addition to the purchases mentioned at (2) above, the company has erected four central creameries (one in County Clare and three in County Kerry), and 44 auxiliaries (27 in County Clare and 17 in County Kerry), up to the 31st March, 1938. The amount advanced from the Exchequer for the erection of these properties was £121,167. Two of the auxiliaries have been transferred to co-operative societies, and the remaining properties (four centrals and 42 auxiliaries) have been retained and operated by the company.