Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, TD, today outlined plans for a range of supports to assist farmers in making their 2017 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application online.
The Minister stated “the recent growth in the number of online BPS applications shows that increasingly farmers are finding that the best way to apply for vital schemes such as BPS and ANC is online. Online applications offer a range of benefits for farmers which also help my Department to issue these vital payments more efficiently.”
Under EU Regulation, 100% of BPS applications will be required to be online by 2018. Last year a range of supports were offered to farmers and similar initiatives will now be in place as the 2017 BPS application deadline of 15th May approaches.
The Minister added “I am now putting in place a range of initiatives aimed at making it easier for farmers to gain the benefits of online application. In particular, I have asked staff in my Department to be available to meet with farmers on a one-to-one basis in various locations to assist them in making their applications.”
Staff from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) will be available to meet with farmers as follows:
At the Department Regional Office in Farnham Street, Cavan between 9.30am and 5.30pm on
April Tuesday, 11th
Wednesday, 19th
May Tuesday, 2nd
Wednesday, 3rd
Tuesday, 9th
Wednesday, 10th
Thursday, 11th
Monday, 15th
At the Department Regional Office in Derryhallagh, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim between 9.30am and 5.30pm on
April Wednesday, 12th
Thursday, 20th
May Thursday, 4th
Friday, 5th
Monday, 8th
Friday 12th
Monday, 15th
The Department offices in Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois will also have a team available to meet with farmers every weekday from now until the BPS closing date of 15th May. In addition, extended evening and weekend hours will be available in Portlaoise as the closing date approaches.
Finally, Department staff will also be available to assist farmers in making their online BPS applications in the following locations from 2.30pm to 7.30 pm:
County Venue Date
Co. Kerry Manor West Hotel, Tralee, Co. Kerry Monday, 24th April
Co. Galway Ard Rí House Hotel, Tuam, Co. Galway Monday, 24th April
Co. Clare West County Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare.
Tuesday, 25th April
Co. Donegal Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Tuesday, 25th April
Co. Mayo Hotel Ballina, Ballina, Co. Mayo. Wednesday, 26th April
Co. Waterford Lawlor’s Hotel, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford Thursday, 27th April
Co. Cork Riverside Park Hotel, Macroom, Co. Cork Friday, 28th April
In addition a dedicated helpline is available at 0761 064420 and instructional videos are available on the Department’s website. The Department will also be in contact with farmers again as the BPS application deadline of 15th May approaches.
The Minister concluded “I would urge as many farmers as possible to apply online for their 2017 BPS at an early date. This can be done by farmers themselves or via an agricultural advisor. One of the key benefits of applying online is that farmers will be able to avail of preliminary checks. These checks allow farmers who have submitted their BPS application online to subsequently rectify by a certain date, non-compliances identified by my Department in the areas of overclaims, dual claims and overlaps in advance of any penalty applying.”