asked the Minister for Agriculture the reasons for the delay in the paying of the sheep subsidy to County Donegal farmers and if he will have all outstanding applications dealt with.

I do not accept that there has been delay in the making of payments under the 1979 sheep headage payments scheme in County Donegal. The appropriate grants have been paid already to about 50 per cent of applicants including those in County Donegal. It is expected that the remaining applicants will be paid their grants before the end of this month.