(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Agriculture if the reported difficulties of crop farmers in securing application forms under the £2 million interest subsidy scheme has been satisfactorily resolved, and, if he will make wake a statement on the matter.

The associated banks and the ACC who undertook the distribution of application forms for the working capital scheme have assured me there is no shortage of application forms, nor were they aware of any shortage since the introduction of the scheme.

(Limerick West): Is the Minister aware that many farmers are unable to procure the necessary details of the scheme, particularly application forms, that some branches of the lending agencies are not operating the scheme and that the local managers in many instances are deciding whether farmers qualify for the scheme?

I would be very worried if that were the case because the banks and the ACC have assured me that they are operating the scheme. If the Deputy can inform me of specific branches where there is a problem, I will contact head office and see that the problem is resolved.