asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that the reduction of the lime subsidy has resulted in a substantial increase in the price of lime to farmers in a number of counties and whether he will consider the matter in the light of the net price which farmers have now to pay for burned lime and for ground limestone in counties such as Wicklow which are far removed from the source of supply.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lime Subsidy.
I am aware that it may not be possible for farmers in certain areas to procure burnt lime this season at a net price as low as that at which it could be obtained in 1949.
The maximum subsidy under this year's lime subsidy scheme for burnt lime is 15/- per ton and the highest price at which a quotation will be accepted from a supplier is 60/- per ton. The rate of subsidy in County Wicklow last year—I am afraid I should have got the statistics for Carlow—was 27/6 per ton and the quotations accepted for the supply of lime ranged from 40/- to 75/- per ton ex kiln. The tenders accepted from the same suppliers under the current scheme vary from 40/- to 59/6 per ton so that the fixing of a maximum price in 1950 has had the effect of reducing the level of prices under which lime is supplied in the county in the current year.
Burnt lime at current prices is no longer an economic method of supplying lime to agricultural land and supplies of ground limestone are being made available through private enterprise all over the country.
Why is the Minister reading his reply so fast? Does he not want anyone to hear it?
I thought I was taking up too much of your time.
You were, but it is the change of style that surprises us.
Do Deputies want it read slow or fast?
Adopt your usual style. It is the change that surprises us.
We want it read intelligibly.
A plant for the production of ground limestone is already in operation at the nearest feasible point to County Wicklow. This product is available at 15/- per ton ex quarry and there is also available a service for delivering it and spreading it on the land. Furthermore, the Irish Sugar Company are in a position to provide from their Carlow factory considerable supplies of sugar factory lime and facilities are available to have this material transported to and spread on farmers' holdings within a distance of up to 60 miles from factory. In addition to this, under the land rehabilitation project any farmer in County Wicklow whose land requires rehabilitation can have lime and phosphate spread on the land dealt with under the project.
Is the Minister aware that the Carlow County Committee of Agriculture received ten applications from lime kiln owners to supply lime this year and in nine cases the net price to the farmer was 10/- per ton dearer than last year? In one case, the price of the lime supplied was high but the increase in the net price not so great. In nine cases, however, the increase amounted to 10/-.
Is the Deputy aware that every farmer in County Carlow can have factory lime spread on his land for practically no cost, except the cost of transport and spreading?
I am not.
Perhaps the Deputy will inquire.
Is the Minister aware that I have quotations from the factory for the supplying of factory lime to my land and that the cost, spread on the land, will be approximately £3 per acre?
Where does the Deputy live?
Fifteen miles from the factory.
How much do they propose to spread?
Five tons per acre.
Five tons for £3 an acre, which is 12/- per ton carried and spread on the Deputy's land, which is 15 miles from the factory. If he does not want it brought to him in a perambulator, can it be more economically done?