Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

438 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the long delay in the appointment of a replacement senior agricultural officer in the Galway farming development office which is leading to great delay in the checking and payment of REP scheme applications in view of the fact that there is no one in the office to deal with the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1668/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh):

A replacement officer has been selected for the farm development service office in Galway west. There will be an unavoidable delay of some weeks in deploying the officer because of training needs. In the meantime the work of the Galway west area is being carried out by officers from the Loughrea and Tuam office.