Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Nov 1998

Vol. 497 No. 2

Written Answers - Decentralisation Programme.

Ulick Burke

Question:

175 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has to decentralise the area aid office relevant to the particular region in order to avoid a repeat of the recent situation where the area aid office in Dublin was closed for months and the public were unable to make inquiries in relation to applications or correct problems where they occurred. [24706/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I have no plans to decentralise the area aid unit. The unit was not closed but in order to accelerate payments to farmers it was necessary to curtail the telephone service to the unit for a period. That service has now been resumed.