Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2017
228. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to allow farmers who applied for the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS 3, in autumn 2016 and achieved a tier 3 score of less than 16.50 into the scheme; the reason that a person (details supplied) was not informed of their rejection from the scheme until 20 June 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41053/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlmost 14,000 applications were submitted for the third tranche of GLAS (GLAS 3) on the online application system. All Tier 1 and Tier 2 applications which are delivering higher environmental benefits have been accepted into the Scheme and all Tier 3 applications which have met the minimum score of 16.5, as set out in the Scheme terms and conditions, have also been accepted into Scheme. This selection criteria was clearly outlined in section 9 of the terms and conditions. This section also advised applicants that the submission of a valid application was not a guarantee of entry into the Scheme and that actions carried out before the notified commencement date would not be considered for payment.
In the case of the person named notification regarding the outcome of their application was delayed owing to the challenges of processing the large volume of applications received.
It is not expected that the Scheme will be reopened, on the basis that it has now more than met its intended target of 50,000 applicants.
