asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the nature of the additional credit facilities which the Government propose to provide for farmers and which were announced by the Taoiseach on 5th October, 1956, and when these facilities are likely to become available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Credit Facilities for Farmers.
Ways and means of filling the gap in our credit—especially short term credit—arrangements for increased production on the land, referred to by the Taoiseach on 5th October, are still under examination and I am not yet in a position to give details about the provision of additional facilities. There will be no avoidable delay in completing examination of the matter, which the Deputy will, I am sure, appreciate is a rather complex one. I may mention that, in pursuance of the Government's decision also referred to by the Taoiseach, I have been in consultation with the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society about the availability of adequate credit facilities for increased production to members of the co-operative movement, and the society are to get in touch with me further thereon.
Will the Minister bear in mind having the credit facilities provided in the United States and Denmark as the model of the type which we should be able to provide here?
I certainly will. I feel that probably a simpler form of more ready access might be more suited to our conditions here. Our people are not as well versed in the matter of filling out forms and returns as are the farmers of the United States or Denmark. I shall certainly have regard to the schemes in operation there.