Vol. 415 No. 1
180 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that only in the region of 15 per cent of applications for beef premiums in Wexford have been processed for payment; the steps he is prepared to take to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
181 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the unrest among farmers due to the failure of his Department to pay their grants for suckler cows and beef premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
To date approximately 60 per cent of suckler cow applicants and 38 per cent of special beef premium applicants have been paid their grants. I have made arrangements for the provision of overtime in local offices of my Department to clear the bulk of outstanding applications by the end of February.
