Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Nov 2003

Vol. 573 No. 4

Written Answers. - Departmental Bodies.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

174 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of appeals dealt with in 2002 by the agricultural appeals office; the measures he is taking to raise awareness of this office among the farming community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25584/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The agriculture appeals office came into operation on 13 May 2002. From May to December 2002, the office received 518 appeals. On 31 December 2002, the position was as follows:

Cases closed	313
Cases on hand
Work in progress in the Appeals office	108
Awaiting Department Response	97
Total	518

A number of measures have been taken to raise awareness of the agriculture appeals office, including the following: every farmer who is notified of a penalty under one of the grant schemes covered by the office is simultaneously informed of his or her right of appeal and how to contact the appeals office; information leaflets and appeal forms are available from all local offices of the Department; when I announced the establishment of the agriculture appeals office in May 2002, I also gave details of the lo-call telephone number that may be used to contact the office – 1890 671671; earlier this month I published the first annual report of the appeals office and this was widely circulated. As well as giving an account of the activities of the office in 2002, the report gives a description of some sample cases that were dealt with during the year, outlines some recurring mistakes that lead to penalties and makes recommendations to farmers and the Department aimed at reducing the total number of errors; and the appeals office has its own webs ite,www.agriappeals.gov.ie and it is expected that this site will up and running by next week. Information leaflets and appeal forms are available on this site along with the annual report and other useful information.