Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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492. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons out of the number of approved applicants to the GLAS schemes 1, 2 and 3 that received the 85% payment and that are awaiting the 15% payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42222/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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There are currently almost 37,000 active participants between GLAS 1 and 2 with approximately 13,500 further applicants approved into GLAS 3 meaning that the target set in Ireland's Rural Development Programme has been exceeded.

Despite the scale of the scheme, 99.6% of basic contract payments have been made in respect of 2015. For 2016, 98.4% of advance payments and 73% of balance payments have already been processed. The main reason for outstanding balancing payments is the failure by participants to submit their Nutrient Management Plan (NMP). This is a core scheme requirement.

As of today, there are 7,820 NMPs outstanding for 2016 balance payments.  My Department has brought this matter to the attention of GLAS participants and advisors and I would encourage these participants to submit their NMP as soon as possible. This is a matter not just for their 2016 balancing payment but also prevents them from receiving future scheme payments.

Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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493. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons out of the number of approved applicants to the GLAS schemes 1, 2 and 3 that are still awaiting approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42223/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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There are currently almost 37,000 active participants between GLAS 1 and 2 with approximately 13,500 further applicants approved into GLAS 3 meaning that the target set in Ireland's Rural Development Programme has been exceeded.

Despite the scale of the scheme, 99.6% of basic contract payments have been made in respect of 2015. For 2016, 98.4% of advance payments and 73% of balance payments have already been processed. The main reason for outstanding balancing payments is the failure by participants to submit their Nutrient Management Plan (NMP). This is a core scheme requirement.

As of today, there are 7,820 NMPs outstanding for 2016 balance payments.  My Department has brought this matter to the attention of GLAS participants and advisors and I would encourage these participants to submit their NMP as soon as possible. This is a matter not just for their 2016 balancing payment but also prevents them from receiving future scheme payments.