Brendan Smith
Question:63 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the proportion of the £41 mill ion budget for the fodder scheme which was absorbed in administration costs. [10992/99]
Written Answers. - Fodder Scheme.
The provision of £41 million for the fodder schemes covered the 1998 fodder related schemes amounting to £21 million and the 1999 general fodder scheme and the special fodder hardship fund totalling £20 million. None of the £41 million provision was used in the administration of the schemes. The automatic system used to make payments, utilising the Department's database, kept administration costs to the minimum. These costs and those to cover the small unit set up to administer the special fodder hardship fund are being met from within the Department's administrative budget.