asked the Minister for Agriculture the reasons that farmers who participated in the various livestock schemes administered by his Department are not receiving application forms for the current year's schemes despite the fact that they had already participated in these schemes in 1982 and did not receive forms in 1983; if he will explain the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Livestock Schemes.
21.
Some 200,000 application forms under the various livestock grant schemes for cattle are issued annually in May and this procedure will be followed again this year. However, in December 1983 farmers were invited to make separate applications in respect of calves born in the second half of 1983. This will enable the farmers concerned to get the calf premium some five months earlier than would otherwise be the case and will also facilitate the Department's inspecting operations.
In answer to the last questions the Minister gave many figures but would he agree that there were farmers in 1983 who did not receive application forms for some of these schemes? When they went to look for them they found that they were too late. Why did these farmers not receive the forms as heretofore? What system is the Department using to dispatch application forms?
The Department issue 200,000 application forms annually. The application forms take in several schemes. As regards the calf scheme at the end of 1983, only a small percentage of farmers would have applied for that. A big advertising campaign was launched in the national and local newspapers inviting applications for this and I would be surprised if there were many farmers who did not see it.
Will the Minister of State admit that there were farmers in 1983 who did not receive application forms?
I have told the House that applications were invited for that scheme.
I am talking about various other schemes, ewe headage, cattle headage and so on.
As regards the issue of application forms in 1983, a high publicity campaign was organised and I have no doubt that all farmers had a chance to see it in their local papers.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.