Staff in local offices are fully engaged in processing applications under the various 1993 headage and premium schemes, I regret that the time required to provide the detailed information sought by the Deputy, on an office by office basis would not be justified.
There has been a considerable increase in the number of applications under the various measures introduced by the CAP reform. Total applications under the 1993 livestock schemes are expected to exceed 600,000. The comparable figure for 1992 was 420,000.
Many of the schemes are highly complex both from the farmers point of view and in their administration. To meet the various additional demands, the administration of the special beef premium Scheme has now been centralised in Portlaoise. In addition arrangements are being made to provide additional resources in a number of local offices. Some other options are also being considered to facilitate speedier payments between now and the end of the year.
The overall objective is to secure the maximum level of livestock headage and premia payments for farmers in 1993.