asked the Minister for Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to forecasts of a probable shortage of potatoes, owing to the recent period of bad weather; whether his Department have made any estimation of the likelihood and extent of such a shortage; and whether he, with the co-operation of other Departments if necessary, will make arrangements to ensure that old age pensioners, widows, and social welfare recipients generally are enabled, should prices increase because of shortage, to obtain potatoes at the normal price for the time of year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Potato Shortage.
29.
Returns from the potato growing areas show that estimated stocks of ware potatoes are well up to average and there is no reason to anticipate that supplies will not be sufficient to meet the demand until the new crop comes on the market.