Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 4

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Alan M. Dukes

Ceist:

280 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in the transfer of funds to a Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development subhead under which building grants are paid; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that grants approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development under the farm improvement programme cannot be paid until the funds in question have been transferred; if he will ensure that the necessary funds are made available without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7947/01]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

Payments under these schemes are a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. In some instances, because the subhead provision was insufficient, it was necessary for that Department to seek the sanction of the Department of Finance to exercise virement between subheads. These approvals have been granted and there was no exceptional delay in granting the approvals sought.