asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether he is aware that all over the country a large crop of apples is said to be going waste, or used for other than human feeding; and, if he will state whether he proposes to take any steps to secure that apples will be available in Dublin at reasonable prices.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Apple Crop.
I understand that growers have had difficulty in some cases in finding a profitable market this season for apples maturing in September and in early October owing to the very large crop and the plentiful supply of windfalls and other second grade apples.
Ample supplies of cooking apples are available on the Dublin market at a comparatively low price; the quantity of home-grown dessert varieties is, however, not equal to the demand. It is understood that the question of fixing retail prices of apples is under consideration by the Minister for Supplies.
In the poorer parts of the city there is a big demand for any kind of apples, but nothing but windfalls are finding their way there, while, in the country, apples are being fed to animals in large quantities. Before there is any great inroad on the supply in that way, will the Minister see what can be done to bring a supply of apples to the city?
Apples are being sold at 6d. each.
Dessert apples are very dear because we hardly produce enough of them for our own requirements, but the price of cooking apples is as low as 1/6 a stone, which is practically the pre-war price.