Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 528: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will report on the number of farmers in County Clare who are using the Departments on-line services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40272/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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There are a number of my Department's services, which have an on-line facility, including the Single Payment Scheme, Afforestation Aid Scheme and calf registration/animal movement. In total 3,127 Clare farmers, or their authorised agents, have registered for my Department's online services, to date.

Under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme, a total of 1,311 on-line applications were submitted by, or on behalf of, Clare farmers. In addition, 140 farmers/agents have uniquely used the Forestry online services to date, while 647 farmers have registered 16,983 calves, to date, during 2010.

In relation to the Single Payment Scheme, due to the system of in-built validations on the on-line facility, the options for applicants to make minor errors on their applications is dramatically restricted, as a result of which, those who submit their applications on-line are much more likely to have their applications cleared for payment more quickly. Analysis of the issues which delay processing of applications shows a very high percentage are delayed because of basic errors or omissions on the part of the applicant. However, it has been possible to construct the on-line facility with a series of compulsory fields and built-in validations, which dramatically reduces the level of these types of error, simply by refusing to allow the applicant to make the error in the first instance.

It was recognised from the outset that, in order to maximise the benefit of the on-line facility, a system of approved Agents would help maximise the numbers submitting applications on-line. While there are various reasons why individuals might not be in a position to lodge on-line applications, the Agent facility is attractive to those who wish to avail of the benefits of lodging an on-line application, although not in a position to do so personally. Anyone considering availing of the on-line facility to make enquiries via the website, www.agfood.ie or, alternatively, the dedicated Helpdesk at Lo-call 1890 252 118.

The Deputy will also be aware that my Department earlier this year introduced a new online initiative which removed the requirement to maintain the on-farm bovine herd register, known as 'the blue book' for those farmers who use www.agfood.ie for electronic registration of births and movements. To date in Co Clare, 242 keepers have signed up to the online herd register and, in addition, 104 keepers have applied for compliance certificates online (farm to farm movement permits).