asked the Minister for Finance whether any wheat-growing operations have been undertaken by the Board of Works or by any other Department under the control of his Ministry; and, if so, if he will state (a) the number and location of such operations undertaken, and (b) the cost to the State of such operations, (c) the average yield per acre, (d) the profit or loss in bulk on these operations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat-growing by Government Departments.
Approximately 128 acres of wheat were grown by the Commissioners of Public Works in the year 1941: at the Phoenix Park (34¼ acres), Bourn Vincent Memorial Park (16 acres), and the Shannon Airport (78 acres). The average yield worked out at 6? barrels per acre. Separate costings for wheat are not available for the Bourn Vincent Memorial Park, where the cost and proceeds were merged in the general farm returns.
The cost of the operations at Phoenix Park was £485 and the value of the crop £695; the corresponding figures for the Shannon Airport are £758 and £1,076 respectively. The cost of operations does not include any allowance for the rental value of the land.
In the present year the acreage under wheat at these centres is 160. These figures are, of course, exclusive of wheat grown on other lands in the hands of the Commissioners, let for tillage in conacre.