Sean Fleming
Ceist:21 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the new independent agriculture appeals office will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4913/02]
Written Answers. - Departmental Bodies.
The legislation governing the establishment of the new independent agriculture appeals office was enacted in July 2001. It is envisaged that the office will be operational in the spring of this year.
This new office will provide a statutory appeals system for farmers who may wish to challenge decisions of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development regarding the payment of grants under the direct payment schemes to farmers. The office will deal with appeals under a wide range of schemes including the livestock premium schemes, the area based compensation scheme, arable aid, REPS, early retirement scheme, the on-farm investment schemes, the national beef assurance scheme and certain aspects of the disease eradication schemes. It will also provide an appeals system for dealers in livestock and poultry.
The office will be based in Portlaoise and will have a staff of approximately 22 at the outset and this will be reviewed based on actual experience of workload. The Civil Service Commission inter-Department competition for the appointment of the director of the office has been advertised. The selection process for the appeals officers has been initiated and the recruitment of the remaining staff will commence shortly thereafter. Arrangements for the provision of the necessary accommodation are well advanced.