The first letters of offer for Tier 2 of the capital grant element of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme (FBIS) have been sent to applicants.

A DAERA spokesperson confirmed that the first letters were issued to successful applicants on 31 October.

“The assessment of Tier 2 applications is well advanced and selection panels will continue to take place on a regular basis over the coming weeks,” the spokesperson said.

In March, 189 applications were submitted for 40% grant funding for projects costing over £30,000. “Until the assessment and selection process is complete, it is not possible to be definitive about the total number of offers to be made,” confirmed the spokesperson.

Meanwhile, the department has yet to confirm just when a second tranche of Tier 1 of the scheme, for investments costing between £5,000 and £30,000, will open.