The Agriculture Minister is being called on to ensure that all GLAS payments are made to farmers before Christmas.
Donegal has the highest number of farmers waiting on payments from the 2017 scheme in the North West, where almost 20% have not received their final payment.
New information released to Fianna Fáil reveals that 3,493 out of 4,307 total cases in Donegal have been paid. Some 28% of GLAS 3 payments have yet to be paid to local farmers.
Fianna Fáil TD for Sligo-Leitrim Marc Mac Sharry said the delays are disappointing. He is calling on the department to work through any administrative delays and ensure that farmers get the money they are owed as quickly as possible.
Deputy Mac Sharry said: “A total of 10,807 farmers across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon were eligible for payment under the 2017 GLAS scheme. However, 1,391 farmers are still waiting for the final 15% payment. This is disappointing as it is now mid-November, and Christmas is less than seven weeks away.
“GLAS payments form an integral part of farm incomes across the North West, and delays in payment can have an impact on cash flow for the business and for the family.
Deputy MacSharry added: “We are now moving to a point where 2018 payments will soon start to be issued, and I think it would better for all concerned if the 2017 payments were closed off quickly.”
