Peter Barry
Ceist:37 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the delays being experienced by applicants under the farm development scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:66 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason farm grants under the farm improvement programme are not being paid to farmers despite successful job completions; the amount of money outstanding to farmers under this scheme; and when grants will be paid.
Paul Bradford
Ceist:69 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the delays being experienced by applicants under the farm development scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:79 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the delays being experienced by applicants under the farm development scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ivan Yates
Ceist:82 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the delays being experienced by applicants under the farm development scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ivan Yates
Ceist:147 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the delay in issuing FIP grants from his Department; the steps, if any he is taking to ensure that grants will issue in respect of all files cleared for payment; and when these payments will be continued.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 66, 69, 79, 82 and 147 together. All claims under the farm improvement programme are processed strictly in order of receipt. However, by reason of their volume, claims are normally paid within six to eight weeks of receipt.
To date, in 1993, £16.9 million has been paid to farmers in aid under the farm improvement programme. I expect that between now and the end of the year a further £3 million will be paid and this should clear all outstanding payment claims up to late November 1993. I expect that any backlog from 1993 will be cleared early in the New Year.