asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of complaints by veterinary surgeons throughout the country concerning the long delays in payment for work carried out at his Department's request; and if he will rectify the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Veterinary Surgeons.
1.
There have been very few complaints from veterinary surgeons about delays in payment for work carried out at my Department's request. In most cases, these delays were caused by the failure of the veterinary surgeons to furnish their claims promptly with the supporting documentation. These and some other cases in which delays have occurred due to abnormally heavy volume of testing work towards the end of the year will be cleared as quickly as possible.
2.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why blood testing bottles have not been returned to veterinary surgeons who carry out testing on behalf of his Department.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the bottles containing blood samples sent in by veterinary surgeons to my Department's Veterinary Research Laboratory for brucellosis testing. These bottles are normally replaced on the same day as the samples are received and no complaints have been made to my Department in the matter.
I know of at least six veterinary surgeons who in the last few weeks have been searching the county looking for the bottles. They have not been returned from the Department.
Any veterinary surgeon who contacts the laboratory— I would add many do—is sent an adequate supply immediately. Neither the Department nor the laboratory has received any complaint that adequate supplies are not issued.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary take this question as a complaint?
It is the first complaint.
The shortage applies particularly to south and north Tipperary. Many of the veterinary surgeons have not been paid by the Department but they are paying income tax. If I give the names as examples, will the Parliamentary Secretary ensure that they are paid? Payments due since last March have not been made to the people concerned.
I would remind the Deputy that Question No. 2 relates to blood testing. It does not relate to payment which was dealt with in Question No. 1.
I am calling Question No. 3.