asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state with regard to the 5,000 applications under the farm improvement scheme which he stated had been sanctioned, how many had been sanctioned in each of the months of November and December, 1940, and January, 1941, how many had been started in each of those months, and how many had not been started at 31st January, and also what progress had been made with the scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Improvement Scheme.
The number of applications sanctioned under the scheme up to 31st January, 1941, is, approximately as follows:—
November, 1940 |
625 |
December, 1940 |
1,515 |
January, 1941 |
2,860 |
Total |
5,000 |
In practically all of the cases in question, the proposed improvement works were begun immediately approval was conveyed. Works approved in November and December are now generally nearing completion but unfavourable weather conditions have had an adverse effect in the case of improvement works approved in January.
In view of the unfavourable weather, would the Minister be prepared to extend the time for completing such works?
I am not sure how exactly we stand on that question.