asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state, for each of the years 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944, the extent of the difference between the figures for turf production in each of the said years as given by him in reply to a Dáil question on 5th December, 1945, and as given in the Trade Journal; and, further, if he will account for the discrepancy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Turf Production Figures.
The differences between the two sets of figures referred to by the Deputy are as follows:—
|
Year |
Tons |
|
1941 |
1,227,000 |
|
1942 |
812,000 |
|
1943 |
702,000 |
|
1944 |
1,051,000 |
It will be observed that the figure given for the year 1944 in my reply of the 5th December, 1945, was provisional. The final figure is 5,376,000 tons and the difference between this total and the figure appearing in the Trade Journal is 1,032,000 tons.
As indicated in my reply to the Deputy's question of the 5th December, 1945, the figures for turf production which appear in the Trade Journal relate only to turf drawn from the bogs by farmers. The figures for the years 1941 to 1944 given in the reply cover all turf produced during those years and include, for example, turf produced by county surveyors, the Turf Development Board and private producers other than farmers.
Will the Minister say whether the subsidy is granted in respect of the full amount of turf cut, or in respect only of the difference that the Minister has quoted—1,032,000 tons?
The subsidy is paid in respect of turf sold by Fuel Importers, Limited, in the non-turf areas.
It is not possible to ascertain from these figures the amount of turf that is covered by subsidy?
No.