asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if, in view of the delay in the payment of grants to farmers from his Department for farm modernisation scheme work, he will make arrangements to ensure that all outstanding grants will be paid on the emergency application forms certified by chief agricultural officers of county committees of agriculture.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farm Modernisation Scheme.
9.
I am reviewing existing arrangements for grant payments with a view to ensuring that, as far as possible, payments are made within a reasonable time of the completion of works by farmers.
In view of the fact that it takes so long to have farms classified would the Minister not agree that the lower rate of grant should be paid while they are awaiting classification?
We cannot pay anything until the work is completed.
I know a number of cases where the work has been completed and payment is being held up until classification is completed.
I will look at that but I doubt if there are many cases held up because of delays in classification.
Would it not be true to say that all cases are held up? Would the Minister take my word that all the cases I know of in County Donegal are held up because of classification?
That is tantamount to saying that there is no case in Donegal classified.
I did not say that. I said all the cases I know of.
If the Deputy has complaints of specific cases I would be glad to know about them and I will investigate them.
The Minister's Department are at the moment carrying a number of——
We are having statements instead of questions and that is not in order.
Would he or his Department try to get them out of the way and let me know?
There were many things held up in the Department of Local Government when the Deputy was——
This is Question Time.
Were they held up for the same reason?
I will not go back on it.