Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 1

Written Answers. - Milk Quota.

Michael Creed

Question:

138 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his Department has received an application for additional milk quota from the seven million gallon fund from a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when this fund will be distributed; and if the individual concerned meets the estab lished criteria for benefit from this allocation. [11091/02]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): A large volume of applications has been received under this scheme and initial processing of these is taking place at present. All applications received will be acknowledged in the near future. My Department will not be in a position to confirm whether individual applications are acceptable until a full assessment of the accompanying documentation has been conducted. The assessment of all of these applications will involve a considerable amount of work and I am unable to say at this point when that work will be completed and when allocations will be announced. My Department will of course endeavour to have the applications processed as quickly as possible. Allocations made under this scheme will be effective from 1 April 2002 that is the start of the next milk quota year, to allow quota allocated to individuals to be used during that milk year.