Vol. 534 No. 1
125 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will make funds available to the ICA to allow the organisation extend its helpline from two days per week to a full-time service during the foot and mouth crisis. [10067/01]
This year my Department paid the ICA its annual grant amounting to £12,000 well in advance of the normal payment date. No further funding is available. I am grateful to the ICA and to the many other organisations that have provided help and advice to those affected by the foot and mouth crisis. In this regard, I would like to point out that my Department has operated a helpline for all foot and mouth inquiries seven days a week since the problem first emerged in the UK.
