John Perry
Question:129 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a REP scheme payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20652/02]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The application for payment from the person named was received in my Department on 23 October 2002 and is being processed in accordance with the targets set out in the protocol on direct payments to farmers.
John Perry
Question:130 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason farmers participating in the REP scheme in County Sligo were late receiving payment; if the backlog has been cleared; if the necessary steps have been taken to redress this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20653/02]
Local staffing issues in the farm development service office in Sligo have recently had some impact on the time taken to process REPS payment applications. My Department has taken steps, by way of overtime working and redeployment of staff from other offices, to ensure that as far as possible all applications are processed within the targets set out in the protocol on direct payments to farmers.