Our updated plan for this time of the year was to have reduced the workload by reducing our number of stock. It has been a busy enough first year, so a quiet Christmas was going to be most welcome.
This is unlikely, however, as news was finally received this week on the National Reserve application. A battle with officialdom will now be in the forefront of our minds.
The application to the National Reserve was submitted a week ahead of the deadline back in May. All boxes were correctly ticked and all supporting documentation was supplied. I’m comfortable with this type of paper work, since I have to do similar in my off-farm job.
In September came a “clarification from Europe” that applicants who didn’t have their Green Cert, or had not already started their training, would have to start before the end of 2015 to be considered eligible for the scheme. The original information was that starting in September 2016 would be allowed.
The course provider, Teagasc, did as much as they could to facilitate this change, setting up one-day training sessions before the end of the year so applicants could technically fulfil their training requirement.
The cost of the course is substantial though, running into thousands of euro when course fees, time off, travel, and other materials are factored in. Without a successful National Reserve application (valued at €173/hectare before top-ups), the cost would be prohibitive for many – myself included.
Waiting on news
There was still no news on my application and the sign-up date for the course was fast approaching. I didn’t know if I could start the course or not, and it was looking like it would be too late to start by the time I would find out.
The clock was now ticking very loudly.
I couldn’t get through to the Department on the phone and emailed them as a last resort. To my pleasant surprise, I got a reply within the hour. It was bad news, but at least I knew where I stood. Over the next 24 hours I had several emails over and back with the lady in the Department, and she was very helpful and informative.
Anyone who can should email rather than try to phone the Department. You have a better chance of a prompt reply, and a chance to mull over new information you receive – meaning you’re better placed to respond.
Anyway, I didn’t sign up for the course as a result of my declined application. I will now appeal the decision, which will take “a few weeks” to process. If this is successful, then part two of the battle begins where I need to make a force majeure (unavoidable occurrence) case for not being able to start training before the end of 2015.
There is surely a statement needed from the Department as to why National Reserve applications affected by September’s changed training requirement were not singled out and fast-tracked for processing. We should have been informed of good or bad news much earlier – it’s much easier to manage when you fail early.
Kieran Sullivan and his brother farm part-time in Co. Waterford. You can follow him on Twitter: @kieran_sullivan
Related stories
Farmers left in limbo over acceptance to National Reserve and YFS
Our updated plan for this time of the year was to have reduced the workload by reducing our number of stock. It has been a busy enough first year, so a quiet Christmas was going to be most welcome.
This is unlikely, however, as news was finally received this week on the National Reserve application. A battle with officialdom will now be in the forefront of our minds.
The application to the National Reserve was submitted a week ahead of the deadline back in May. All boxes were correctly ticked and all supporting documentation was supplied. I’m comfortable with this type of paper work, since I have to do similar in my off-farm job.
In September came a “clarification from Europe” that applicants who didn’t have their Green Cert, or had not already started their training, would have to start before the end of 2015 to be considered eligible for the scheme. The original information was that starting in September 2016 would be allowed.
The course provider, Teagasc, did as much as they could to facilitate this change, setting up one-day training sessions before the end of the year so applicants could technically fulfil their training requirement.
The cost of the course is substantial though, running into thousands of euro when course fees, time off, travel, and other materials are factored in. Without a successful National Reserve application (valued at €173/hectare before top-ups), the cost would be prohibitive for many – myself included.
Waiting on news
There was still no news on my application and the sign-up date for the course was fast approaching. I didn’t know if I could start the course or not, and it was looking like it would be too late to start by the time I would find out.
The clock was now ticking very loudly.
I couldn’t get through to the Department on the phone and emailed them as a last resort. To my pleasant surprise, I got a reply within the hour. It was bad news, but at least I knew where I stood. Over the next 24 hours I had several emails over and back with the lady in the Department, and she was very helpful and informative.
Anyone who can should email rather than try to phone the Department. You have a better chance of a prompt reply, and a chance to mull over new information you receive – meaning you’re better placed to respond.
Anyway, I didn’t sign up for the course as a result of my declined application. I will now appeal the decision, which will take “a few weeks” to process. If this is successful, then part two of the battle begins where I need to make a force majeure (unavoidable occurrence) case for not being able to start training before the end of 2015.
There is surely a statement needed from the Department as to why National Reserve applications affected by September’s changed training requirement were not singled out and fast-tracked for processing. We should have been informed of good or bad news much earlier – it’s much easier to manage when you fail early.
Kieran Sullivan and his brother farm part-time in Co. Waterford. You can follow him on Twitter: @kieran_sullivan
Related stories
Farmers left in limbo over acceptance to National Reserve and YFS
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