asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the quantity and price of kelp purchased by his Department or otherwise marketed in each county in the years 1936, 1937 and 1938, and the price guaranteed during the current year; further, if he will state whether steps will be taken this year to purchase all the kelp on offer.
Written Answers. - Kelp Statistics.
Mr. Boland
The information required by the Deputy will be published in the Official Report. The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is set out in the schedule below:—
|
KELP PURCHASED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LANDS IN THE YEARS 1936, 1937 AND 1938. |
||||||
|
COUNTY |
1936 |
1937 |
1938 |
|||
|
Tons |
Price Paid to Gatherers |
Tons |
Price Paid to Gatherers |
Tons |
Price Paid to Gatherers |
|
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
||||
|
Donegal |
120 |
357 |
56 |
178 |
45 |
178 |
|
Sligo |
164 |
443 |
63 |
183 |
*11 |
41 |
|
Mayo |
116 |
355 |
62 |
228 |
68 |
230 |
|
Galway |
176 |
498 |
149 |
498 |
233 |
846 |
|
Clare |
42 |
119 |
41 |
129 |
69 |
238 |
|
TOTAL |
618 |
1,772 |
371 |
1,216 |
426 |
1,533 |
|
* An alternative market was found for 400 tons of air-dried seaweed. |
The Department has no information in relation to kelp purchased by any other person or firm.
The prices to be paid to kelpers offering kelp during the 1939 season are:—
For kelp containing .9 per cent. of iodine, £4 10s. 0d. per ton.
For kelp containing .8 per cent. and less than .9 per cent. of iodine, £4 per ton.
For kelp containing .7 per cent. and less than .8 per cent. of iodine, £3 10s. 0d. per ton.
Less than .7 per cent. of iodine, £2 10s. 0d. per ton.
Difficulty has been experienced in the last three years in obtaining the quantity of kelp required by the customers of the Department. The Estimates for the current year make provision for a substantial increase on the supplies actually offered in previous years. Within that provision all kelp offered for sale up to standard will be purchased.