asked the Minister for for Finance if he will state the number of applications for loans received by the Agricultural Credit Corporation and the number of loans granted in the past two years.

I am informed that the number of applications for loans received by the Agricultural Credit Corporation in the past two years was as follows:—

The number of applications sanctioned was 1,023 and 737, respectively, and the number of loans issued was 715 and 581, respectively. The figures do not take account of loans under schemes of the Department of Agriculture.

May I take it that the Government are now considering reducing the rates of interest charged by the Industrial Credit Corporation on loans?

Question No. 15.