asked the Minister for Agriculture why the cheap day-old chick scheme has not been put into operation in the Mayo Gaeltacht area, and whether he will arrange to have the scheme put into operation in this area as has been done in Gaeltacht areas elsewhere.

The scheme for the distribution of pure-bred chicks at a specially reduced price to residents in the Gaeltacht is an experimental one and for that reason I thought it advisable to confine the scheme for the present year to the areas already fixed. It would not be practicable to extend the scheme this year to the Mayo Gaeltacht, but I will have the claims of that area fully considered when next year's scheme is being planned.