Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am aware that Teagasc has written to some of its clients to advise them that it does not have the capacity to submit their GLAS plans. As this is a matter between Teagasc and its client base, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it. As a third party, it is not appropriate for me to become involved in matters which are of a contractual nature between the parties involved. The involvement of trained advisers in the preparation of GLAS plans has been central to the implementation of GLAS since its inception. In view of this, the preparation for the roll-out of GLAS involved my Department organising specific training to ensure an adequate number of advisers would be available to prepare and submit applications on behalf of farmers. Following the completion of this training between November 2014 and February 2015, those who attended the training sessions were required to submit approved forms and details of their educational qualifications to the Department. They were separately required to submit completed registration forms and professional indemnity insurance details to the Department before they could be entered on the register of approved advisers. Some 528 people are approved on the register as GLAS advisers. This gives them access to the GLAS online application system to prepare applications for their farmer clients.

While Teagasc has indicated to some of its clients that it cannot submit applications for them at this stage, it is always open to farmers to approach another adviser. I can understand why that would not be the preference for many farmers who are working with Teagasc. I have announced that a second tranche of GLAS applications will open in the autumn. Any farmers who are unable to apply in the current tranche for whatever reason, for example, it might be taking too long to put the plan in place, will have an opportunity to apply in this second tranche. I ask farmers to understand that it is not such a big deal if they cannot meet the 22 May deadline because GLAS will be opening again three and a half or four months from now. The whole point of our current approach is to accept a tranche of applications now so that we have some time to deal with plans and applications. We will reopen the scheme to applications in September so that the next round of farmers can come in from January. Teagasc will have to work with those deadlines.

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