asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in view of the fact that the number of applications from County Wicklow under the terms of the 1982 sheep headage scheme requiring investigation will again be twice the national average, he will take appropriate action to ensure that the delays in payments which occurred in previous years will not recur; and if he will indicate the proposals he has to see that payments are made expeditiously.
Written Answers. - Sheep Headage Scheme.
358.
Inspections in County Wicklow under the 1982 Sheep Headage Schemes are starting about ten weeks earlier than in 1981 — on 11 May 1982 as opposed to 22 July 1981. This should make extra time available for processing applications and ensure that the bulk of payments in County Wicklow will be made correspondingly earlier than in previous years.
The deduction of subscriptions for the Wicklow Sheep Owners Association is being computerised this year and this should speed up the processing of payments also.