asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that a number of farmers who sold reactor cows in Skibbereen last December have not yet been paid the £15 subsidy; and if he will explain the reason for the delay.

There are at present nine cases in the Skibbereen area in which payment of the £15 headage grant has been delayed. The delay has been due to difficulty in tracing the delivery of the cows to the factory.

Investigations in these cases are now nearing completion, and it is expected that the grants can be paid within a week.