asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state how many farmers have taken advantage to date of the offer of his Department to provide a loan of £100 for the purchase of farm implements under the tillage scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Loans for Farm Implements.
In order to meet the demand for additional facilities for the purchase of agricultural implements and machinery likely to arise owing to the Government's Compulsory Tillage Order, it was announced on 1st December last that my Department's scheme of loans for the purchase of agricultural implements and machinery (formerly confined to implements costing up to £40) would be extended to cover equipment costing up to £100. Since the date of the announcement 654 applications have been received for loans for implements costing up to £40, and 18 applications for those costing over £40.
How many were granted?
I do not know that.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, I should like to know how much money he has made available for loans of this kind?
There is no limit to that.
No limit?
No.