Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The animal health and welfare Bill is not yet ready for publication. As the Deputy is aware, the legislation in question will impose significant requirements on members of the farming community. That is why careful consideration is being given to it before we finalise a date for publication. Record numbers of people, some 62,000 - 17,000 of them since May - are on REPS.

It is expected that proposals relating to the eligibility for health and personal social services Bill will be brought before the Government later in the year.

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