asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of considerable disquiet among the farming community due to delays in payments under the farm modernisation scheme and the action he proposes to take to remedy the matter.

16.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that many farmers are paying high bank interest rates while cheques due to them for farm modernisation schemes are unavailable owing to the postal strike, if he will make arrangements for collection of these cheques in view of the hardships caused; and if not, why.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together. The situation to which the Deputies refer arose from the postal dispute and the supporting action by certain clerical grades in my Department which prevented the operation of any alternative arrangements for the issue of payments. As the dispute has now been settled, payments due under the farm modernisation scheme can be made in the normal way.

I am worried about delays in normal payments. I appreciate that cheques did not go out during the postal dispute. Does the Minister accept that there is a very long delay in the processing of claims, the arranging of inspections and the issuing of cheques to people entitled to grants under the farm modernisation scheme?

I do not accept that in the normal course of events there is any unwarranted delay. As the scheme is very successful there is great pressure on staff handling these claims. Nevertheless it is not correct to say that there is any unreasonable delay in the payment of cheques. The difficulties caused by the postal dispute and the supporting action taken by certain people in the Department of Agriculture and other Departments would seem to be over now and we will be able to return to the normal situation.

Would the Minister accept that there have been delays of between six and 12 months?

That would be quite exceptional. Delays of that kind would probably be due to re-examination of the case.

Would the Minister consider making extra staff available?

It will probably be necessary in due course.

Will the Minister do it?

I will give no undertaking. It will probably be necessary.

Even though the Minister admits it is necessary he will not agree to take on extra staff.

The Deputy may put down a question on the subject.

Would the Minister agree that offices throughout the country are understaffed? With a view to expediting payment of these grants, would the Minister instruct these offices to take on extra staff?

There seems to be an assumption on the part of Deputies opposite that there are unreasonable delays. I say there are not unreasonable delays. In certain odd cases where special inquiries have to be made there are necessary delays, but there are no unreasonable or unwarranted delays. The situation at this moment is satisfactory.