asked the Minister for Agriculture the total number of applications received for grants for the erection of new piggery buildings since increased grants were announced; and how this number compares with the same periods during each of the previous three years.

Increased grants were announced on 13th February, 1961. The number of applications for the period February to May, 1961, inclusive, amounted to 2,096.

Figures were not kept until April, 1960, on a basis which would enable me to give the information sought by the Deputy for the corresponding periods of 1960, 1959 and 1958, without a very considerable expenditure of time and labour.

The number of applications received in the ten months—April, 1960, to January, 1961—was 1,560, or 536 less than in the four months February to May, 1961.