Some 6,300 farmers applied to the Farm Safety Scheme by its closing deadline of Friday last, according to the Department of Agriculture. Despite some calls for an extension, the deadline was not changed.

The Department will now begin full processing of applications. It has already been in contact with some applicants seeking clarification of matters left incomplete on applications. Asked this week when it would issue first approvals, it would only say “as soon as possible”.

IFA rural development chairman Flor McCarthy this week called for rapid approval of applications.

“The timeframe farmers will have for completing work is very short with everything to be finished by August,” he said.

It should become clear in a number of weeks whether or not the scheme is oversubscribed. When drawing it up, the Department pencilled in an average investment of about €7,500, and an average grant amount of €3,000.

In this scenario, the scheme’s €12.5m funding would be enough for just over 4,000 applicants.

The scheme is part of the TAMS I programme of schemes which must be concluded by August 2015. Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has stated that a follow-on Farm Safety Scheme will operate in TAMS II when that starts in the coming months, following EU Commission approval of Ireland’s proposed rural development programme.