Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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414. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the information technology unit will amend the systems to allow the GLAS section make payments to participants who did not receive payment for 2017 due to an information technology issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29179/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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In 2017 almost €200m was paid out to farmers participating in the GLAS scheme. In addition in 2018 to date GLAS has paid out a further €61.5m.

At this point over 99.5% of eligible GLAS participants have been paid their 2017 GLAS advance. In addition GLAS balance payments have also issued to over 99% of those eligible.

This rate of delivery would not have been possible without the availability of high quality complex IT software systems to support the GLAS business unit in operating the scheme. Since 2014 my Department has adopted a policy of implementing fully digital end-to-end support for all but the smallest of schemes. My Department has an excellent record in the delivery of high quality ICT systems. We have been consistently among the first to make payments in the EU.

In exceptional circumstances, such as a re-instatement of an application, or in response to requests from participants, changes may need to be made and these must be approached on a case by case basis.

While my staff will continue to investigate all cases that have not yet been cleared for payment, in the majority of cases it is outstanding requirements such as Nutrient Management Plans or Commonage Management Plans not submitted or GLAS Training not yet attended that are resulting in non-payment. Outstanding GLAS payments are under constant review and payments are issuing as issues are resolved, GLAS payments continue to issue on a weekly basis.