asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries whether his Department will now consider the desirability of establishing a large-scale co-operative pig fattening project in the Limerick area with a view to (a) ensuring continuity of pig supplies for the Limerick bacon factories and (b) providing an additional economic outlet for skim milk; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Pig-Fattening Project.
15.
The establishment of large-scale co-operative pig fattening units is primarily a matter for the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society and local initiative and, as recently announced, substantial grants from my Department will now be made available for such projects. The grant will cover one-third of the approved capital cost, and at least a further one-third of the capital cost would be in the form of local investment so as to ensure sufficient local interest in efficient management and also sufficient support of the unit. Details of the new grants scheme will be announced shortly.