Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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989. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken to assist farmers who have dyslexia and-or literacy issues in regard to inspections, applications and online registrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25226/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department aims to ensure that the needs of all its customers, including people with literacy issues, are met and that the rights of equal treatment are upheld in the delivery of services. We are also keenly aware of the difficulties that some customers have in accessing information and staff are available to provide any assistance necessary.

My Department has responsibility for delivering a wide range of schemes and services to its many customers. Many of these schemes are, by their very nature, complex. In order to provide the best possible customer service it is important to ensure that participants in these schemes have a good understanding of their terms and conditions. To this end, my Department endeavours to ensure that the language used in application forms, supporting documentation and information campaigns is clear, concise and accurate and only necessary detail is provided and requested.

In relation to inspections, my Department has established the Farm Advisory System which provides advice to farmers on land eligibility, cross compliance, and other requirements of the CAP. Currently there are over 800 advisors approved and fully trained under FAS. Contact details for these advisors are available on the Department's website under the Farmer Schemes & Payments/Farm Advisory System area.

An audio version of the Department’s Explanatory Handbook for Cross Compliance requirements is available on the Department’s website under the Farmer Schemes & Payments/Cross Compliance area. The “Browsealoud” facility is also available on the Department’s websitewhich reads web pages aloud for people with literacy and/or visual impairments.

Furthermore officials from my Department regularly attend information meetings organised by Teagasc, the Farm Bodies, etc. to provide briefing on inspection requirements at local level.

In respect of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and related applications, my Department held a number of clinics around the country during the application period. These clinics were publicised in the local and national media and afforded farmers an opportunity to sit with an official from my Department who would guide them through the process of registering and submitting an application on the day. Other supports include ‘How to’ videos which areavailable on the Department’s website at:

The BPS online guide is also available at the following link:

Once registered, farmers also have the option of nominating an individual, to act on their behalf, to carry out their business with Online Services. A nomination letter is sent out to the farmer, for completion by the nominated person and signed by the farmer.

Applicants can continue to avail of assistance throughout the year via the BPS help desk at 076 1064420.