asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that, because of the inclement weather conditions prevailing in the months of July, August and September of this year, a considerable amount of wheat delivered to merchants and millers was rejected as unmillable for human consumption; and if, with a view to preventing as far as possible, a recurrence of similar losses in the future, he will make available to farmers' co-operative societies, individual farmers, and other suitable interested persons grants for the erection of drying plants and silos for storage so that farmers will receive the guaranteed price for the various bushel weight grades; further, if he will arrange for the making available of loans repayable over a period of seven years to supplement such grants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grants and Loans for Drying Plants and Silos.
The quantity of wheat of the 1956 crop which was rejected as unmillable for human consumption was comparatively small. The bulk of this wheat was rejected on the grounds that the grain had sprouted.
During the past few years there has been a considerable increase in the facilities available for the drying and storage of wheat at millers' and merchants' premises. These facilities were provided largely by individual concerns from their own resources or with the assistance of loans issued by my Department under the Grain Storage (Loans) Act, 1951. I do not propose, therefore, at this stage, to provide for the making of grants as suggested. I may add, however, that grants are available under the farm buildings scheme for the provision of grain lofts and stores, while loans may be advanced by the Agricultural Credit Corporation Limited in respect of the purchase of grain drying equipment.