Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 May 2018
473. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if staff will be put in place to complete the commonage management plans under the GLAS scheme in circumstances in which the existing planner is overloaded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21354/18]
View answerThe requirement to prepare a Commonage Management Plan (CMP) is and has always been an essential component of the GLAS scheme. A complete CMP is required for each commonage over 10 hectares. The facility to submit CMP's has been available since October of last year and completed CMPs continue to be submitted on an ongoing basis. The completion and submission of these is a matter between the GLAS participant and his or her planner.
The Department has regularly highlighted the importance of the CMP requirements with regard to potential impact on GLAS payments. The requirement is to submit a complete CMP. Failure to submit will prevent further payments, including balancing payments. The Department will continue to bring this requirement to the attention of GLAS participants.
