Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount it cost to provide the computer structure at the ploughing match in 2006 in order that farming visitors could receive first class service on site; the amount it would cost to provide the same service in each livestock office or DVO here in order that farmers and their agents could deal with the situation in the same manner and avoid unnecessary stress and delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33807/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The cost of providing the computer infrastructure at the 2006 Ploughing Championships was €9270.50; this was the cost of the telecommunications infrastructure. The remaining IT equipment deployed at the ploughing championship was from current Department IT hardware stock and has been returned to general use within the Department.

This type of technology is used to provide online electronic service to farmers over the Internet. Already farmers can view and print their maps and other information related to their Single Payment claims. They can view and print their full herd details, including all movements, and download this information to farm software. They can also register calf births online. For 2007 it is also planned that they can apply for their Single Payment online.

Similar computer equipment has been deployed in the Department's local offices for a number of years. The equipment has been upgraded on a regular basis, in line with the Department's IT Strategy to keep its IT infrastructure up-to-date. Access to all of the Department's information is available to staff in local offices, including our business processing systems. Where schemes are delivered locally, staff in the local offices can provide a full service using the latest technology. Where schemes are delivered centrally, this type of service is available through dedicated lo-call numbers, where staff in the call centre have access to the full range of information to resolve any queries. My Department is constantly reviewing how best to optimise delivery of its service to farmers.