There was a constant flow of farmers at the first Department of Agriculture BPS clinic in Cavan on Tuesday as rain bucketed outside, forcing staff to extend opening hours. “It is busier than last year,” said Department official Noel Dinneny.
There was a constant flow of farmers at the first Department of Agriculture BPS clinic in Cavan on Tuesday as rain bucketed outside, forcing staff to extend opening hours.
“It is busier than last year,” said Department official Noel Dinneny.
This is the first year that all farmers must apply for the BPS online, and 30,000 farmers had already done so by Tuesday morning.
Listen to "First-time BPS online application" on Spreaker.
Most visitors in Cavan needed help to get online for the first time.
“I’m not very good at anything to do with computers, I’ve always done it on paper,” said Lough Gowna farmer John Kierney, echoing the feeling of many in the room.
Department staff had eight laptops available to help farmers complete initial registration, BPS and Young Farmers Schemes applications, and entitlement transfers.
Some had land eligibility issues, with one unable to remove a building site from their claim and another wondering if they could claim for rushy land – the answer is yes, as long as the rushes are topped.
“I needed to make sure I did it correctly,” said Mary Kennedy, a suckler, sheep and forestry farmer in Quivvy, who brought her own laptop to the clinic. “They’d left out three plots and he was able to show me how to add them.”
The O’Brien family said they would be able to apply online in the future if broadband coverage improved at their farm and their children were around to help, with Katie (10) and Shane (nine) up for the challenge.
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