According to figures released by the Department of Agriculture to the Irish Farmers Journal, there are still at least 8,000 farmers from GLAS I and II who are yet to complete the required training course.

According to Department figures, over 29,000 GLAS scheme participants have attended courses to date. In excess of 5,000 GLAS participants are also scheduled to attend courses in the near future.

The Department stated: “GLAS I and II participants must attend a GLAS training course by 31 December 2017, as set out in the scheme terms and conditions. Failure to meet this requirement will affect future GLAS payments. There are under 37,000 participants in GLAS I and II.”

Additionally, there are 13,500 participants in GLAS III who are required to attend a GLAS training course by the end of 2018.

The failure of farmers to carry out a GLAS training course will result in the suspension of all future GLAS payments until proof is provided that they have attended an approved course according to the terms and conditions of the scheme.

In a positive boost, payments for GLAS training courses have begun to issue to farmers.

“Payments in respect of each GLAS participant who has attended a GLAS training course have commenced to GLAS trainers, with payments valued at over €3.1m issued to date,” the Department said.

This would equate to 19,620 farmers receiving their €158 payment, with a further 9,380 farmers who have completed a training course yet to receive payment.

In relation to payments to advisers, the Department said: “The payments to GLAS trainers will issue when the submission of proof that their client farmers have received their payment is submitted. Subject to the required validation checks being passed, these payments are expected to commence in mid-January.”