asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the number of applications for loans made to the Agricultural Credit Corporation during the years 1948 and 1949, and the number of applicants to whom loans were given during those years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Credit Corporation.
The number of applications for loans made to the Agricultural Credit Corporation was 2,301 during 1948 and 2,163 during 1949. 1,233 applications were approved in 1948 and 1,238 in 1949. The number of loans actually issued was 775 during 1948 and 811 during 1949.
In view of the fact that, at the outside, some 50 per cent. of the applicants for loans during each of these two years received accommodation from the Agricultural Credit Corporation, would the Minister not consider that the entire matter should now be inquired into with a view to seeing whether some greater credit facilities could now be made available to agriculture?
I am more interested in the fact that in 30 per cent. of the applications approved the loans were not taken up.