asked the Minister for Agriculture when it is intended to pay the bounty on the 1934 wheat crop.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payment of Wheat Bounty.
Dr. Ryan
Payments of bounty on home-grown wheat sold during the sale (wheat) season ended 15th December, 1934, will be commenced almost immediately, and it is hoped that they will be completed before 31st proximo.
Is the Minister aware that farmers who cannot pay cash for their seed wheat now have to pay 5/- a sack more for it when they get it on credit—is he aware that the cash price of wheat is 28/- and that farmers getting seed wheat on credit have to pay 33/-? Does not the Minister know that because of the delay in the payment of the bounty the farmers have to get their seed wheat on credit? Does he not know, as a matter of fact, that the farmers who have not ready money for seed at present are greatly handicapped and greatly inconvenienced? I hope the Minister is aware of that.
Dr. Ryan
Yes, it is recognised that this system is very slow, but I am afraid that it cannot be altered under present legislation, but an amending Bill is contemplated.