asked the Minister for Agriculture when the cattle headage money will be paid to the Donegal farmers for the 1979 cattle headage.
19.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Headage Payments Scheme.
18.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason for the delay in testing cattle in Donegal for the cattle headage, and when it is proposed to have the tests completed.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.
There has been no delay in carrying out inspections under the cattle headage payments scheme in County Donegal. Progress to date compares favourably with that made during the same period last year and with that being made in the rest of the country. Payment of grants will commence shortly and, as in previous years, will continue for several months until all qualified applicants have been paid.
Following what the Minister might cite as his assurance that Donegal is no different from the rest of the country in regard to inspections or payments, will the Minister find out whether there is not something more than has been indicated and whether we have abandoned the idea of trying to ensure that the whole scheme would operate in such a way that payments in all cases would be made in or around Christmas or before Christmas if possible and not in March or April of the following year?
I cannot undertake to have all the grants paid before Christmas but I undertake to have them paid as quickly as possible.