The application process for further tranches of the capital grant element of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme (FBIS) is to be reviewed by DAERA.

“We plan to evaluate the application process for tranche one of FBIS-Capital and look at ‘lessons learnt’ ahead of the opening of any further tranches,” a department spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal this week.

Second tranches of both Tier 1 (for smaller projects up to £30,000) and Tier 2 (grant up to £250,000) are due to open in the autumn.

Pressure

A total of £40m of funding has been approved for the first two tranches of the FBIS. Up to £200m was promised by the Stormont Executive, but whether this ever materialises depends on a number of factors, not least pressure on government budgets.

DAERA officials are continuing to process the 189 Tier 2 applications received in the first tranche of the scheme. “It is anticipated that letters of offer will issue over the coming months,” a department spokesperson confirmed.

A total budget of £25m is available across the first two tranches of Tier 2.

In Tier 1, only one out of 1,521 successful applicants did not return the letter of offer form to follow through with their application. So far, 184 Tier 1 applicants have completed projects and submitted forms to claim the 40% grant funding.