andMr. T. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has received representations from growers in the Pilltown area, County Kilkenny, for aid in the establishment of an apple-packing station there and if he will state whether it is his intention to afford assistance towards this project.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Apple Packing Station.
No. The co-operative society organised for the marketing of apples grown in Kilkenny, Waterford and East Tipperary is open to all growers in these areas who wish to join it.
Every prospect of success attends this new departure and officers of my Department specially charged with the duty of helping the growers to achieve success are at work in these areas; the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society is actively engaged in the development of the co-operative society and unless positive action to frustrate these plans materialises, I hope to see the apple-growing industry put on a sound economic basis throughout this area.
Is the Minister aware this project has been the subject of local representations for a good many years? Is he not also aware that the Pilltown area is the chief apple-growing area in that whole district, and why should it not receive aid for the establishment of an apple-packing station on its own account, if it is the Minister's policy to encourage the establishment of such stations?
I can assure Deputy Derrig that the scheme embarked upon is designed to benefit to the maximum degree the apple growers of that area and other areas concerned, but in order to make the relatively expensive installation requisite successfully to carry on this business, one must aim at a minimum area of 1,000 acres of apples, and it is not easy to get that area in any restricted district. I think the failure to realise the need of the larger area is probably the true explanation of why previous attempts have failed.