Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 738: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reasons for the delay in processing applications for the farm improvement scheme; the number of people affected by this delay in the County Tipperary-Offaly area; and when he expects this delay to be resolved. [22693/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A total of 12, 675 applications were received under the Farm Improvement Scheme when the Scheme was closed on 31 October 2007. The financial allocation for the Scheme was €79 million which enabled my Department to approve 7,347 applications received in the period up to 21 October 2007.

My Department processes applications to payment stage upon receipt of valid payment claims. Approximately 5,400 projects have been completed and submitted for payment by the applicants to date. Claims are still awaited from the remainder. There are currently five applications in the Department's Local Offices in Tipperary and Offaly at various stages of examination, two of which are awaiting reply from correspondence issued to the applicants and one where payment is currently being issued. The Department's aim is to process all payment claims as quickly as possible.