Vol. 449 No. 3
53 Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the total number of applicants who have received direct payments under all schemes operated by his Department for the year ending 31 December 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2882/95]
Direct payments amounting to £590 million were made on foot of over 900,000 applications under the headage and premium schemes in 1994. I have made very clear my intention of ensuring the earliest payment of headage and premium grants to farmers. The payment of balances under 1994 schemes has already commenced, up to two months ahead of last year, and over 70,000 balancing payments have issued over the last ten days. I intend to build on the considerable improvements being achieved in the payments area and I have already outlined my intention of introducing a charter of rights with the objective of putting in place a top quality effective and efficient service for farmers.
