asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason agricultural officers in some farm development scheme areas have been grounded and unable to provide a service to farmers, even though the farmer pays £30 per call; when the farm development scheme offices were notified of their quarterly travel allowance of £550; if they were able to budget for the first quarter this year; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the farm improvement programme was at a standstill in many areas during the first quarter as a result of this.
Written Answers. - Farm Development Schemes.
91.
Having regard to the large number of applications under the farm development schemes the limited funds available for servicing these schemes are allocated between the local offices so as to insure uniformity of service throughout the country. These allocations are made at the beginning of each year. Within these constraints the service provided by the FDS for farmers is being maintained at the highest possible level.