Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I indicated to Deputy Creed previously when we met to discuss those issues and in reply to a previous parliamentary question that people whose applications were significantly progressed at the time entry to the schemes were suspended are a priority for me and will be a priority when we start processing and revisiting that decision. That is a view shared by all of us who represent rural areas and who are familiar with individuals and families who had started the preparatory work but who had not completed or lodged their applications with the Department prior to budget day. I am aware from public representatives such as from the Members present and other colleagues on both sides of the House, and from the farming organisations, all of whom spoke to me about the matter, that a number of applications now stand suspended that were almost ready on budget day.

I have stated repeatedly in the House and in response to councillors, representatives of various farming organisations and in the media that it is my intention to revisit my decision to suspend entry to the schemes as soon as circumstances permit. All of us who deal with representations from rural communities fully appreciate that a considerable amount of effort goes into the completion of a valid application. In the case of installation aid, young farmers went into considerable detail to meet the specific requirements of the scheme. I understand that at times the delay in lodging applications may have been outside an applicant's power. I am conscious of that but I do not want to mislead anybody. I am not in a position at this time to say when we will be able to progress those particular applicants who had set out on the road to complete an application. I assure Deputy Creed that those applicants will be the first to have their applications processed when it is possible to re-open the schemes.

See this speech in context