Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Cheques Robbery.

Andrew Boylan

Ceist:

88 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the delay in payments of grants to farmers under (1) the bovine reactors grant scheme (2) pollution grant scheme and (3) headage grants scheme is due to an armed robbery or theft of cheques; if so, the amount involved and the number of farmers affected; when payment will now be made; and if compensation will issue as a result of the long delay and the hardship caused; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. O'Kennedy)

Payments issued by the Department under a particular scheme to the value of some £150,000 were misappropriated in a recent robbery. Cheques have already been reissued to 120 of the 500 farmers affected and will be reissued to the remaining farmers early next month following the completion of inquiries. The question of compensation does not arise in the circumstances.