Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I also thank the Minister for extending the scheme for two weeks and I know a number of Deputies, including myself, approached him about this and he did take action. I welcome the fact he will review this. Farmers rely on income supports and on these types of grants to make sure they have a cash flow. If farmers who were in GLAS cannot get into this scheme, there will be a gap in their income next year and many are wondering, as the Minister knows well, what will happen to them. I understand they have a severe workload right now but I encourage him and the Department to consider opening the scheme towards the end of March to get the next tranche ready and maybe some payment could be made to those farmers towards the end of the year. That would be important.

One other issue that has raised its head is that in the criteria for existing applications that went in towards the last week or so there were some small nuanced changes in the scheme. If farmers could get the opportunity to make corrections or adjustments to their applications over the next week or two to ensure they get the maximum return, that would also be appreciated.

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