Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2015
261. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will accept all eligible applications submitted under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, tranche 2, given the underspend to date under the agri-environment options scheme 2014 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46027/15]
View answerThe GLAS online application system closed for the creation of new applications at midnight on Monday December 14. In light of the large volume of applications on the system, my Department has allowed advisors until 6pm Friday December 18 to finalise any which have not yet been submitted.
It is clear that interest in the Scheme is very strong and that Tranche 2 is well on target to reach the forecasts set when I launched the Tranche. I am particularly happy to see so many Tier 1 and Tier 2 candidates. As already indicated, applications from these candidates will receive priority when allocating places under Tranche 2. The precise number to be offered places will be determined by reference to the environmental priorities set for the Scheme and the overall budget available, with an eye also to ensuring adequate provision remains for Tranche 3 of the scheme.
