Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy will be aware, there must be a starting and closing date for all schemes. There is a pool of 13.5 million litres of milk which I understand will be sufficient to cater for 67 applicants. It is difficult to know at this stage how many applications have been made because historically applications to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food tend to come in in the last day or two. Those of us who operate constituency offices, including the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, will be aware that they often arrive a day or two after the closing date.

It is difficult at this stage to predict how many applications will be received. As I stated, 80 forms have been issued, none of which has as yet been returned. It is difficult to make a call in respect of Deputy Sherlock's question until the final applications have been received, examined and adjudicated on by the panel.

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