10 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if sufficient personnel are available to deal with the large number of applications which will be made for the EU farm retirement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am satisfied that the number of staff assigned to duties in connection with the farm retirement scheme is sufficient for the volume of work arising.

However, my Department is currently reviewing the allocation of personnel in areas dealing with the delivery of the CAP reform schemes and the accompanying measures. Appropriate measures will be taken to achieve an efficient service in the processing of applications.

I welcome the Minister's reply. History has shown, however, in the reform of CAP, the difficulties farmers experienced in having the goods delivered. Farmers are making a great effort to get out of farming and avail of the retirement scheme but are expressing anxiety on the availability of staff to process the claims on time. There have been long delays — as long as three years — under the installation aid scheme. Is it true that staff dealing with the installation aid scheme are now deployed full-time to explain the retirement scheme to farmers?

The question is rather long; the Deputy should conclude.

Will the deployment of staff from the installation aid scheme to the retirement scheme delay the payment of aid to young farmers who acquire land from farmers anxious to avail of the retirement scheme?

I indicated at public meetings that the Minister and I are anxious to ensure the speedy processing of all applications under the farm retirement scheme. In my reply I said that sufficient staff are available to cope with the volume of applications being received. However, the matter will be kept under review. I wish to assure Deputies that we will do whatever is necessary to process the claims within the confines of the resources available to the Department.

How long will it take to process applications? Can farmers be guaranteed that they may avail of the retirement scheme from the date of application rather than after a lengthy processing period?

Every effort will be made in the Department to process the claims as soon as they are received. I reiterated that commitment on a number of occasions.