asked the Minister for Agriculture the efforts he is making to complete the inspection of herds in County Clare for headage payment purposes; when inspections will be completed; if the temporary staff which have been employed to carry out the inspections have been laid off; the number of herds which have been inspected to date; the number outstanding; when the payment of grants will commence; and when final payments will be made.
Written Answers. - County Clare Herds Inspector.
624.
It is expected that headage inspections in County Clare will be completed by mid-December. The number of herds in the county inspected to date is approximately 3,500, leaving 3,250 herds to be inspected. The employment of temporary staff to assist in headage scheme inspections in County Clare has now been terminated and an equivalent number of permanent departmental staff has replaced the temporary staff.
Payment of headage grants will commence next month and will be completed early in the new year.