Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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234. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the 2018 GLAS budget allocation is less than the 2017 allocation in view of the fact that the scheme is fully subscribed; and the impact this will have on payments in 2018. [8024/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Firstly, it is important to note that GLAS is a five-year scheme and payments in individual years will vary but will balance out over the lifetime of the scheme.

Annual GLAS advance payments are made in last quarter each year in accordance with the governing regulations with balancing payments issuing in the following calendar year when all inspections have been initiated.  Any unpaid advances are discharged as early as possible in the following year. The outturn in 2017 was €195.6m and I am satisfied that the 2018 allocation of €203m is adequate to meet all eligible payment claims.