asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the urgent need for an immediate expansion in agricultural output, he will take steps to provide cheaper and more extensive credit facilities for farmers desiring (i) to increase the fertility of their land; (ii) to improve farm buildings; (iii) to improve and increase live stock; (iv) to reclaim waste land; and (v) to purchase modern implements and equipment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Credit Facilities for Farmers.
In previous replies to a number of similar questions put to me by the Deputy, I intimated that substantial credit facilities were already available for the purchase of agricultural implements and live stock and for other agricultural purposes; that grants were available under the farm improvements scheme for the reclamation, drainage and improvement of land, and that, under the farm buildings scheme—to be put into operation in a few weeks' time—grants will be made towards the erection, repair and reconstruction of farm out-offices.
I am not convinced that creditworthy farmers are unable to get credit on reasonable terms for productive purposes and if the Deputy will suggest any effective method for determining whether applicants are in fact creditworthy and so circumstanced as to derive benefit from credit applied for, there is no difficulty in furnishing whatever credit may be required and is desirable.