Vol. 497 No. 4
101 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of cases awaiting adjudication in the appeals office for schemes under his Department; the length of time it takes to adjudicate on these schemes; the number involved in each scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25261/98]
The headage and premia appeals unit had 507 cases awaiting examination on 18 November 1998. The approximate length of time to have an appeal concluded has been eight months. The number of cases involved in each scheme is as follows: area aid, 88; arable aid, ten; beef cow headage, 15; cattle headage, 104; ewe premium, 84; ewe quota, one; equine headage, two; extensification premium, 12; other or not evident from the appeal, eight; special beef premium, 83; suckler cow premium, 71; suckler cow quota, two; sheep headage, 25; deseasonalisation slaughter premium, two.
I have instructed that an additional officer be appointed to the appeals unit imminently. Officers from the unit have also been working overtime in recent weeks to reduce the backlog. I will keep the position under review to ensure satisfactory progress in reducing the average delay.
