Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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797. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of calls made to the information line to assist farmers with their queries about current Covid-19 restrictions; the number of staff in his Department assigned to provide the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41102/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department opened its Covid-19 helpline on 1st April 2020 in order to assist farmers and others with Covid related queries that apply to agriculture and related issues. Since then, the helpline has received a total of 975 calls. The number of staff assigned to this service is kept under review and varies based on demand at any given time.

Currently, two staff are allocated to answering the helpline and, due to the volume of calls, this can take place in addition to other work. This number is sufficient to provide a prompt response time to callers and can be increased as necessary. The Department also provides farmers with information and advice through the Covid-19 Hub on its website - Gov.ie/agriculture.