GLAS focus switches to Tranche 2

Teagasc is working closely with the Farm Relief Services to ensure as many clients as possible gain access to GLAS before the Tranche 1 closing date (currently May 22).

However, due to the high volumes of applications received, and the short window for submitting applications, it will not be possible to process all applications before the closing date.

Teagasc is communicating directly with affected clients about how Teagasc can prioritise their application for the second tranche, which the Minister for Agriculture recently announced. Tranche 2 is anticipated to open in the early autumn of this year.

Preparation of GLAS plans has progressed more slowly than anticipated earlier this year, due to teething problems as the scheme and the planning system settled in.

The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine is determining the scoring criteria for applications under Tier 3 of the scheme. If there are insufficient places to accept all Tier 3 applicants, those with the higher scores will be accepted into the scheme.

Teagasc has reminded all clients with greater than 10ha of commonage that they must nominate a commonage adviser for the development of a GLAS Commonage Management Plan well in advance of the May 22 deadline.

Clients with commonage should speak to their FRS adviser or Teagasc adviser about how to progress this.

The run-up to the May 29 closing date for the Basic Payments Scheme is another peak demand period for Teagasc advisory services.

Clients should do everything possible to keep appointments, and should contact Teagasc well in advance, if unable to make appointments.

Teagasc advisers provided guidance to and responded to queries from about 4,000 clients in the run-up to the March 31 deadline for young farmers and new entrants to apply for entitlements under the National Reserve.