asked the Minister for Agriculture what happened to the 2,144 applications for loans under the unsecured loans scheme received up to and including 24th March, 1964, which appear to have been unsuccessful; whether they have been refused, or whether there is a delay in a number of cases; and, if so, why.

The Deputy is wrong in assuming that the applications he refers to were unsuccessful. I expected to be asked a supplementary question on this point when dealing with a previous question by the Deputy. I could then have explained that the delays were due to the sudden and steep build up of applications over a short period.

Will the Minister not agree that the whole purpose of the loan is especially to assist small farmers in the springtime to purchase seeds and fertilisers?

Yes, and the Corporation understand that also, but there was an exceptionally large number of applications which came in within a very short time. It was not possible to deal with them as quickly as if they had been received over a more staggered period.

Is the Minister making any arrangements to deal with them?

The position has improved since then but there are still some arrears.