Almost €202 million in payments under the Green, Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) for the 2019 scheme year have been made so far – but where did the payments go?

According to figures released by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Barry Cowen, 97.7% of 2019 scheme year payments have been made to date. This amounts to exactly €201,818,427.30 (including top-up payments under GLAS Plus).

Minister Cowen issued the figures in answer to a question from independent Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice, who asked the minister for a county-by-county breakdown of payments, and how many farmers are involved.

The county-by-county breakdown of payments (to 48,443 active participants in the scheme) is as follows:

Data source Minister Cowen Michael Fitzmaurice PQ

As can be seen, Co. Galway had the highest level of payments, at €23,776,444.19. This was followed closely by Co. Mayo, at €21,742,841.46.

Counties Cork and Donegal are (almost) tied for third, with €16,271,995.92 and €16,324,449.19 respectively – Donegal with just over €50,000 more in payments than Cork.

Dublin saw the smallest level of payments, at €368,603.98, just below County Louth, at €1,202,181.46, and County Kildare, at €1,732,597.03.

In answer to Fitzmaurice, Minister Cowen said: “My department continues to work with both farmers and their advisors to ensure that any issues are resolved, and outstanding payments are made as quickly as possible.”

Actions

In a subsequent question, Fitzmaurice asked the minister for a breakdown of payments according to certain actions under GLAS.

That breakdown, with respect to 12 actions possible under GLAS, is as follows:

Data source Minister Cowen Michael Fitzmaurice PQ

As can be seen, low-input permanent pasture saw by far the most payments, at €67,176,878.06, followed by commonage, at €19,817,952.13, and traditional hay meadows, at €17,704,338.97.