asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (1) the total amount of money, if any, loaned under Section 41 of the Slaughter of Cattle and Sheep Act, 1934; (2) the total amount repaid up to date; and (3) the total amount of (a) principal and (b) interest, the payment of which is in arrears.
Written Answers. - Slaughter of Cattle and Sheep Act, 1934.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state in respect of any loans granted under Section 41 of the Slaughter of Cattle and Sheep Act, 1934, (1) the persons to whom such loans were granted; (2) the purpose for which the loan was granted; (3) the date of the loan; (4) the period of repayment; (5) the amount of loan; and (6) the rate of interest.
I will deal with these two questions together. The only loan was that granted to the Roscrea Meat Company, Limited, for the erection and equipment of a factory at Roscrea for the manufacture of canned beef, meat and bone meal, fats, sausage casings, etc. The loan amounted to £16,000 and was advanced in four instalments, viz., £5,000 on 1st April, 1935; £4,000 on 3rd May, 1935; £5,000 on 3rd September, 1935, and £2,000 on 14th October, 1936. The loan was to be repaid at the end of four years and three months. Interest was at the rate of 2 per cent. for the first year and 4 per cent. thereafter and was paid as it became due. The loan was repaid in full on 26th September, 1938. There are, therefore, no arrears of either principal or interest.