Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

That answers the first question because nobody has been paid yet. The Minister of State is correct when he says it is a complicated computation which has frustrated people. I wrote to the Minister asking him to take into account that many growers process their crop on the farm which means there are no records but only estimates of yield available. I asked the Minister if this would be allowable. In his reply he stated there is nothing in the scheme preventing growers from processing part of their crop and for this to be taken into account. He stated that average yield data can be applied in the absence of documentary evidence. On the basis of the Minister of State's reply I do not know if anyone would be able to prepare the amount and compilation of the documentary evidence needed within the designated application period. I urge the Minister to reconsider.

To put the matter into context, €180 million was set aside for the pork recall scheme and up to 5 May there has been an uptake of just under 50%, a total of €87.5 million. The Minister of State referred in his reply to people sowing crops. Some of the people are not able to access working capital this year. I ask him to reconsider the terms of reference of this scheme. If this scheme is meant to be for practical purposes of assisting people who suffer crop damage, we should be able to help them.

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