Vol. 527 No. 3
44 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he will bring forward proposals to set up an autonomous agency to control all payments to farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23272/00]
A re-organisation of my Department is in train.
The re-organised departmental structure will include a self-contained agriculture payments office to cater for payments to farmers and processors. The management of operations will therefore be separate from the development of policy, although links will be maintained between the two. This structure allows for a stronger focus on the management of the various schemes and an integrated approach to the delivery of payments. The objective is to provide a dedicated and optimally efficient service to farmers and commercial operators.
Trade unions and staff associations within the Department are being consulted on the proposals.
