Staff shortages delay inspections

DELAYS in approving applications for the Farm Waste Management Scheme are causing problems for farmers.

Fine Gael TD Tom Hayes claimed a large number of farms had not been inspected because of staff shortages in local area offices within the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

He said the situation in south Tipperary was particularly difficult because people were waiting months for a farm inspection to be carried out by department officials, who were under huge pressure.