The advance payment of 2016 GLAS I and II applications is scheduled to be processed at the beginning of December for all cases which pass the regulatory checks and conditions, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Currently there are 26,500 farmers approved in GLAS I and 11,500 in GLAS II. The average payment for these farmers will be between €4,400 and €4,800, with a maximum payment of €5,000. There is an additional €2,000 for those in GLAS+. GLAS+ is extended to all farms with a priority environmental assist, including the hen harrier.

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed confirmed on budget day last week that GLAS will be reopening for applications. Creed said the third tranche will open for applications by mid-November at the latest.

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It is hoped that participation in GLAS will reach the target of 50,000 farmers in total. Once the third tranche is open, applicants will have six weeks to submit their online applications through their approved GLAS adviser.

The Department said GLAS III is a new tranche and as such it will be open to unsuccessful GLAS II applicants to apply for GLAS III. As of yet it is unclear what actions will be included in the latest tranche.

The Department said that the third tranche will be similar to GLAS II. However, the specific details of the scheme are currently being finalised and the specification document for the scheme will be available only when it is launched.

Farmers hope low-input permanent pasture action will increase from 5ha to 10ha as was originally the case in the first tranche. They also hope that hedgerows and orchards make a reappearance.