asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of cattle feed vouchers for which application was made by farmers in County Donegal; and the number granted to date.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Feed Vouchers.
7.
Up to 7th February 7,303 applications were received of which 5,795 have been processed and 14,045 vouchers have been issued so far. The number of vouchers issued depends on the number of young cattle and the seriousness of the winter fodder problem in each case.
Can the Minister say when all the applications will be dealt with?
They are being dealt with as fast as it is possible to deal with them. The Deputy will note from the reply that a very large percentage of them have been dealt with already.
Will the winter be over by the time all are dealt with?
We have had practically no winter.
Does the Minister realise that now is the time those vouchers are needed by the people who applied for them? I am talking of those who qualified for them and there are a number of such persons in my county but so far the vouchers have not been issued.
The question referred only to County Donegal.
I appreciate what the Deputy is saying but I would point out that there are well in excess of 100,000 applications. These involve much detailed work and it is not possible to have instant results.