asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is intended to erect or make available storage facilities for oats for the coming year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oats—Storage Facilities.
The storage of oats must be considered in the light of the overall problem of the storage of grain. There is no doubt that additional grain storage facilities are required and sofar as my Department is concerned all possible assistance will be given to merchants and others proposing to provide such storage. Grain merchants and co-operative societies have recently been notified of the terms under which loans may be granted under the Grain Storage (Loans) Act, 1951, and I hope that, with the assistance of such loans, those merchants and co-operative societies will proceed with the erection of additional storage.
Is the Minister aware that, due to the shortage of storage and credit facilities, small farmers have had to unload their oats after the harvest at 26/- and 27/- a barrel and that that oats is now fetching 45/- or 48/- a barrel?
If the co-operative societies built storage, they would be better off.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider the building by the Government of stores for grain in the tillage centres, so that at the end of the harvest the farmers in a plentiful year would be in a position to unload their crop on the market at an economic price?
The Deputy is aware that the first steps have been taken in any event, in offering these facilities to the merchants and co-operative societies. Would it not be better to wait and see to what extent they will be able to meet the requirements?