Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 4

Written Answers. - Abattoirs Act, 1988.

Paul McGrath

Question:

105 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of subvention paid to each local authority in 1997 to fund the implementation of the Abattoirs Act, 1988; the number of full-time and part-time veterinary inspectors employed by each authority in this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16311/97]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My reply to Parliamentary Question No. 110 on 7 October last outlined the situation giving rise to payments to local authorities in order to assist them in carrying out their statutory functions under the Abattoirs Act, 1988. Details of such payments made are as follows:

Local Authority	Amount Paid
	£
Cork County Council	105,600
Waterford Corporation	3,200
Sligo County Council	6,933

The above payments represent the amount due in each case for the first half of 1997. It is intended to pay the amount due for the second half of 1997 to the above local authorities before the end of this year. Payment will be made to the remaining authorities as soon as it has been confirmed by them that they are carrying out the relevant functions.

Under section 35 of the Abattoirs Act 1988, it is the responsibility of each local authority to appoint one or more wholetime veterinary inspections to carry out the relevant functions under the Act. In addition, it is the responsibility of each local authority to appoint so many other veterinary inspectors as it considers necessary. Information on the number of wholetime and part-time veterinary inspectors employed by each local authority, specifically in relation to functions deriving from the Abattoirs Act, 1988, is not readily available in my Department. This information is being assembled and I will convey it to the Deputy when it becomes available.