I notice that the amount allocated for part of the constituency of Longford which I represent is £409, and I wish to remind the Minister that approximately half the area of County Longford was for a considerable time classified as "congested" and particularly the north Longford end. In that particular area the average valuation is under £5, as the Minister is probably aware from the records. I cannot understand how any such figure was arrived at for that county taking into consideration some of the allocations made to other counties. Having regard to the valuation that exists in the county I think the amount should be considerably increased, and as a matter of fact should be nearer the £700 mark.
Committee on Finance. - Seeds and Fertilisers Supply Bill, 1942—Committee and Final Stages.
Sections 1 to 12 inclusive agreed to.
Question proposed: "That the Schedule be the Schedule to the Bill."
Perhaps I might explain the principle that was followed in relation to this matter. We got £25,000 to divide. How was that going to be done? It seemed to me that the reasonable way was to divide it over the counties in proportion to the rural population. On that basis, the fact that there are areas in Longford considered to be congested should be to the advantage of Longford, because the population per unit of the area is higher than in other counties, higher even than Cork.
Surely the number of applicants for grants in each county should be the basis of calculation, instead of the rural population.
We are not anxious to encourage default.
Take the third county on the list, Clare, it might lose £1,005 and Cork might lose £2,985. There might be only 200 applicants for grants in Cork but there could be 400 in an area like Longford or Donegal.
That might be so. The facts are not as the Deputy suggests. In Cork the total cost was £11,000.
Instead of counting heads would it not be better to count the number of applicants?
We could not work on that basis.
Did that occur to the Minister?
The other method serves the purpose equally well.
I suggest that the Minister should count heads of the population in future.
As I was not here for the Minister's introductory remarks, I should like to know the amount of credit that was provided for this purpose last year.
£55,000.
Could the Minister give the figures for each county?
I do not propose to give them.
I should like to have them on record.
If the Deputy wishes he can put down a question.
Question put and agreed to.
Question proposed: "That the Title be the Title to the Bill."
On the Title I wish to know——
On the Fifth Stage the Deputy will have his opportunity.
Title agreed to.
Question—"That the Bill be received for final consideration"—put and agreed to.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."
On this stage I wish to point out that in my view the term "wheat seeds" is never used by agriculturists.
I am not an agriculturist.
The term ought to be used in its proper form.
The Title of this Bill has been consecrated by tradition. It has been introduced under that Title for the last 50 years. The Deputy does not expect me to change it now.
Question put and agreed to.