Some 354 farmers were paid €1.24m in GLAS money last Friday, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed.

It is understood a further 2,500 GLAS+ farmers, mainly in hen harrier and other designated sites, will be paid their overdue 85% advance payment under GLAS I and II.

Approval letters for 13,964 GLAS III applicants have been issued to all except 140 farmers in GLAS I and II who have overlap issues yet to be resolved.

IFA rural development chair Joe Brady called on Minister Creed to pay 2,200 GLAS farmers waiting for money on their cleared GLAS plan measures and deal with technical IT and administration issues later.