GLAS Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 April 2018

Thursday, 19 April 2018

Ceisteanna (284)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

284. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in receipt of GLAS 1, 2 and 3 who have received the 2017 balancing payment by county in tabular form; the number of persons who have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting the 2017 balancing payment; the number of GLAS recipients who have yet to receive the 2017 balancing payment by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17270/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Balancing Payments for the GLAS scheme can only commence when the Member State has verified that all eligibility conditions have been met. This is a requirement in the relevant EU Payment Regulations and is a long-standing EU audit requirement.

DAFM is currently under-taking the required level of inspections required to facilitate the balancing payments and is working to have this completed by mid-May. It is anticipated that GLAS balancing payments will then commence in mid-May.

I would encourage any GLAS applicant with outstanding obligations, such as the submission of a Nutrient Management Plan or a Commonage Management Plan to speak to their advisor and ensure that this work is completed as a priority. Without the submission of all the required information, these applicants will be ineligible for their balancing payment.