At a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, IFA president Joe Healy insisted that there can be no repeat of the payment delays with GLAS later this year. The minister gave an assurance that payments to 50,000 farmers for 2017 will start in the autumn.

Healy said: “Farmers are frustrated and angry with the delays and there can be no more of the ‘computer says no’ excuse. Clearly, the administration of schemes requires the use of IT and the Department has generally had a good record in developing payments systems. However, what has happened with the GLAS and TAMS has caused significant distress for the farmers involved and cannot happen again.”

Increase

The minister confirmed to the IFA that an increase of €25m will form part of the 2018 budget discussions. This commitment is part of the Programme for Government and Joe Healy insisted that it must be implemented next year.

The IFA highlighted the payment delays to 470 farmers who have completed work and have made a payment claim to the Department.

IFA rural development chair Joe Brady said that substantial payments are being held up a result of a minor penalty. Excuses such as IT problems are wearing very thin and the IFA insisted that these issues have to be sorted out.

The IFA has examples of bridging finance expiring and pressure being put on farmers by lending institutions.

IFA deputy president Richard Kennedy insisted that farmers whose land was accidentally burned must not be penalised. The IFA was told by Minister Creed that farmers who did not cause the burning will not be appealed.

In relation to eligible land, the Minister for Agriculture assured the IFA that the terms and conditions for the BPS are no different in 2017 compared with previous years.