The possibility of issuing more letters of offer under the first round of the Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme (SFIS) is being considered by DAERA.
The scheme, which allows up to 40% grants for equipment and technology, received 4,253 applications but only 1,415 letters of offer were issued due to budgetary constraints.
However, a DAERA spokesperson has said 144 letters of offer were not accepted within the required 28-day timeframe, plus another 45 offers were declined by applicants.
It equates to a drop-out rate of 13% and could mean that funding has become available again for more grant offers.
“We are considering the potential to issue further letters of offer,” the DAERA spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.
Submission
Successful applicants have a period of six months from the date on their letter of offer to purchase their items and submit grant claims. It equates to an early July deadline for most SFIS participants.
The scheme has resulted in high demand for low emission slurry spreading equipment (LESSE) and suppliers are reporting a sharp rise in orders.
Some LESSE manufacturers indicate that equipment could be ready within 12 weeks, although most firms are remaining non-committal and suggest delivery by mid-summer.
It could leave it tight for some SFIS participants to make claims for grant support, although DAERA has indicated that leeway will be available.
“Requests for extension of a claim deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and appropriate evidence must be provided for each request.
“For example, evidence from the supplier that equipment was ordered well in advance of a deadline,” the DAERA spokesperson said.
