asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will make extra funds available to meet the need in the coming spring for increased supplies of seed potatoes and seed oats for the Gaeltacht and congested districts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seed Oats and Potatoes for Gaeltacht.
I presume the Deputy has in mind my Department's seed distribution scheme for the congested districts. I do not anticipate that the funds ordinarily available for this scheme will prove inadequate to meet demands in the coming spring.
Is the Minister aware of the grave anxiety in these districts at the moment with regard to the outcome of the scheme next spring in view of the fact that the potato crop was a failure and, secondly, in view of the fact that there is a considerable increase in the prices paid for potatoes just now so that these prices are not at all comparable with last year's prices, and if the same funds were available they would not be adequate to provide a comparable quantity?
If an inadequacy of that kind reveals itself it will be met by further provision. The scheme will not be allowed to suffer.
Would the Minister agree that now would be the correct time to make any adjustments?
No.
Supplies may not be available later on.
The question of supplies is not one of urgency. An adequate quantity of seeds will be made available under this scheme in all parts of the congested areas next spring.
That is good enough.