Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2016
775. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the next phase of green low-carbon agri-environment options scheme will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12619/16]
View answerThe overall target for GLAS is to attract 50,000 farmers into the scheme. I am pleased to confirm that some 38,000 farmers have been approved into the first two Tranches of GLAS, 26,500 in GLAS 1 and 11,500 in GLAS 2, while ensuring adequate provisions are available for Tranche 3 of the scheme. I plan to launch Tranche 3 of GLAS (GLAS 3) later this year and all farmers not already in the scheme, including those who were unsuccessful in their applications for the first two tranches will have the opportunity to submit a new application for GLAS 3 when the scheme opens. When preparing applications, it is important that farmers, in consultation with their advisors, ensure that the highest standard environmental plans are presented to the Department, to increase their chance of selection under GLAS 3.
