asked the Minister for Agriculture why the temporary staff who were carrying out inspections for the cattle headage grant were withdrawn as half the herds have yet to be inspected.
193.
Written Answers. - Cattle Headage Scheme.
192.
asked the Minister for Agriculture why it was necessary to lay-off, so early this year, the inspectors who carry out work in South Kerry under the EEC-cattle headage scheme and the various sheep subsidy schemes and if he will make a statement on the matter.
194.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the serious loss of income being suffered by farmers in County Cork because their cattle are not being inspected under the cattle headage scheme; and if he will arrange to recruit extra personnel in order to expendite inspection and thereby allow farmers to sell their cattle.
195.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that the inspection of herds, for headage grant purposes, in the severely handicapped areas will be completed without delay.
196.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of inspections yet to be carried out under the headage scheme; and the action being taken by him to complete those inspections.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I proposed to take Question Nos. 192 to 196 together.
As was the practice in previous years, temporary staff were recruited for a number of weeks this year to assist the permanent staff in carrying out inspections under the cattle and sheep headage schemes.
The temporary staff were dispensed with recently when the period for which they were recruited expired. The remaining inspections are being completed by permanent staff.
The position at present, on 17 December, is that only approximately 60 inspections in County Galway remain to be completed out of the total of 95,000 herds and flocks inspected in the disadvantaged areas. These will be completed by 18 December.