asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that there is great delay in supplying sows to applicants in the Sligo-Leitrim area; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sligo-Leitrim Sow Applications.
31.
I understand that there has been some delay in the supply of sows by the Pigs and Bacon Commission to applicants in County Leitrim because the Commission experienced difficulty in getting the required numbers of suitable breeding stock to meet the unusually large number of applications from that county. I am informed that steps are being taken to expedite supply to the applicants concerned. I understand that there has been no delay in the supply of sows to applicants in County Sligo.
Is the Minister aware that there are quite a number of people in Leitrim who paid their deposits as far back as last August and are still waiting to be supplied?
I think that is an exaggeration.
No; it is a fact.
I happen to have the facts before me. There were 70 applicants approved by the Leitrim County Committee of Agriculture as far back as August. All but 17 of those have already been supplied. In the course of a week, it is expected that 13 of the remainder will be despatched to the people concerned. That does not tally with what the Deputy says.
Are those pigs going through the Committee of Agriculture?
Yes.
I could give the Minister the names of four people who have told me they have paid their deposits since 1st August last year and have been waiting ever since.
The information I have received from the Commission is that the names of 70 approved applicants were forwarded to the Commission in August, that all these have been supplied with the exception of 17 and that 13 of that number are on the way.
I would ask the Minister to see they are despatched as quickly as possible.