asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the reasons for the delay in the payment of the grant for farm improvement work done by Mr. Timothy O'Loughlin, of Dower, Castlemartyr, County Cork, which was inspected and passed by an inspector of the Department in May last.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Improvement Grant.
The payment of the claim mentioned and a number of other similar claims has been delayed because of great pressure of work in my Department during recent months. It is hoped to have all these outstanding claims paid within the next few weeks. As of April 1st, 1948, there were outstanding from the previous year's scheme 32,000 applications. All these arrears had to be cleared up at the same time as applications under the 1948/49 Scheme were being examined and sent to the outdoor staff for execution. These immense arrears are now under control and it is hoped that no delays of this character will recur.