Farmer frustration continues to grow at the Department of Agriculture, with approximately 7,800 farmers still awaiting 85% advance payments for GLAS in respect of 2017 scheme year payments.

To date, €148m has been paid out in advance payments to farmers. According to the Department, the average total GLAS payment to farmers is €4,155. This would leave the average 85% advance payment of €3,531.

Based on these figures, 41,900 farmers have received advance payments to date, which leaves a significant 7,800 farmers still waiting on €27.5m in advance payments.

When advance payments first began to issue in the week leading up to 1 December, €90m was issued to farmers. This means that only half of farmers received their advance payments in the initial payment run.

The delay in payments has left cashflow issues for many farmers.

As of 21 December, 36,000 farmers had received payment. However, in the month that has followed, payments have issued very slowly, with only approximately 6,000 farmers being paid.

Originally, the third week of October had been earmarked for the advance GLAS payments. However, over 14 weeks later and a substantial amount of farmers are still waiting on payment.

Between advance and balancing GLAS payments, a total of approximately €206m is due to issue. Balancing payments to farmers began to issue in mid-July 2017 and it is not expected that these payments will be any earlier this year.

IT problems

“The Department has said that it is down to IT problems and that it would be sorted,” according to Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice.

“GLAS payments have been a fiasco for the past two years. The Department has said that the BPS maps aren’t compatible with the GLAS maps, but whether it is IT issues or other issues, the farmer continues to be the biggest loser. Farmers are under pressure with loans and bills and they need their money.

“Minister Creed has not been on top of his game and farmers deserve their money. Anyone can have issues with their IT system, but the Department need to come out and say what the issues are. Farmers deserve to know.”