asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate the number of applications received to date for the heifer grant, and the number of applications granted.

Up to 20th June 53,101 applications were received of which 19,838 were inspected and accepted as qualifying for grants.

Could the Minister tell the House whether in cases accepted the money has been already paid?

Not necessarily.

Could the Minister indicate what is the average period between application and payment?

I should like the Deputy and the House and, indeed, the country, to be aware that a new scheme like this, a fairly involved and difficult scheme, is not an easy matter to get under way. I admit that there have been delays because the organisation is not as strong as it should be and will be, I hope.

It was introduced in a hurry.

At present we are trying to strengthen the number of people who will be administering the scheme and we hope to clear most of these cases in the course of the next two months.