Heydon announces start of €8.4m in organic balancing payments
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has announced the start of 2024 balancing payments under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS).
Over 81% (3,961) of farmers in the OFS are receiving their balancing payments this week, which amount to around €8.4 million, the minister said.
'The timely processing of payments is a key priority for my department. I know how crucial payments are to farm families and I am pleased that this year's payments are being made a full month earlier than they issued in 2024,' Minister Heydon commented.
Approximately 1,000 extra farmers are receiving balancing payments compared to last year. Payments will be in farmers' bank accounts in the coming days, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
'My department will continue to process, as a matter of urgency, all remaining cases for payment as they meet scheme criteria,' the minister said.
There are now approximately 5,500 organic farmers in Ireland, farming an estimated 248,000ha.
The number of organic ewes has trebled in the last three years and the number of organic suckler cows has doubled.
Demand for Irish organic oats continues to outstrip supply and 'highlights the ongoing opportunities in organic farming', according to the department.
Farmers are also being reminded that those who commenced farming organically in 2025 have to complete a 25-hour training course 'as soon as possible'.
All participants must have this course completed before they are eligible to receive payment.
Minister Heydon commented: 'The European Commission's Vision for Agriculture and Food, which prioritises generational renewal, aligns with our own Food Vision 2030 strategy in identifying organic farming as an opportunity for young farmers and a way to attract the next generation of skilled Irish farmers into our sector.
'This is one of the most important tasks we face and must be a priority in shaping our policy for the future,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Tax rebate agent appears on Revenue's list of tax defaulters
AN ONLINE TAX Rebate agent based in Co Longford has appeared on Revenue's list of tax defaulters for Q1 of 2025. The company handles overpayments of tax to Revenue for its customers and keeps 30% of any repayment Revenue issues to the customer. In its 'About Us' section on its website, Online Tax Rebate Services Limited says: 'We appreciate that many Irish tax payers do not receive their full rebates. This is due to the complexity of the process. Advertisement 'The online tax rebate process that we make available via this website is designed to make the process more accessible for Irish tax payers.' The tax rebate agent, with an address at Unit 1A, Heatherview Business Park, Athlone Road, Co Longford, reached a €188,206 settlement with Revenue made up of unpaid taxes of €101,814 and penalties of €76,360. Revenue stated that the business was subject to a Revenue investigation case due to 'non-declaration of PAYE/PRSI/USC and VAT'. According to the data from Revenue, all money owed by the company was paid in full. The biggest single tax settlement was from Lifetime Brands Europe Limited, a UK based wholesaler of household goods. The company reached a settlement amounting to €1,115,755 made up of €777,606 of unpaid taxes and €233,281 of penalties. All money owed by the company was paid in full. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Post
2 hours ago
- Irish Post
Sisk begins construction work on Great Ormond Street children's cancer centre
CONSTRUCTION work has begun on a new children's cancer centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Irish-headquartered John Sisk & Son (Sisk) are the main contractors for the project, which will start with four months spent demolishing the existing cancer centre. Following this excavation and works on the basement will begin, before moving 'onwards and upwards until the world-leading new centre is complete' a Sisk spokesperson confirmed. A ground-breaking event was held at the site in central London as works got underway on June 4. Ger Hayes, Sisk's Managing Director for UK South, said it marked a 'huge milestone' in the project, which has been 'six years in the making'. 'Now we transfer from the pre-contract phase into the construction phase,' he explained. The construction phase of the GOSH Children's Cancer Centre project has now begun 'We are going to really move on to the exciting bit now, which is pushing on with the demolition and the construction of the brand new state of the art cancer care centre at GOSH.' The construction phase is expected to take four years and will be undertaken while day to day life at the hospital continues. 'This is a complex build in a complex environment, working and operating within an operational hospital,' Gary Beacham, Children's Cancer Centre Delivery Director at GOSH, confirmed. Once completed the new centre will increase their cancer centre capacity by 20 per cent. It will also feature digitally advanced inpatient wards and a new hospital school. 'The thing that has got everybody behind this job is what it will be at the end,' Mr hayes explained. 'When you walk around this place and you see some of the sickest kids and families and the toll it takes on them, if we can build something that will make that better it will make it better for the clinicians it will make it better for the families, it will make it better for everybody. 'And that is the ultimate aim, that in four years' time we will be back here celebrating that.' Steven McGee, who is Sisk's Chief Operating Officer for Ireland and UK, outlined where the project is at currently. 'Weve done the soft strip, we are about to start the demotion followed by the basement box frame façade,' he said. 'So it's a four-year journey and at the end it will be a world class children's cancer care unit that will leave a lasting legacy, not just in London but in our business.' GOSH has launched the Build It. Beat It. fundraising appeal to help fund the project. At the ground-breaking event, hospital staff were joined by principal donor, John Grayken and long-time GOSH Charity supporters the Said family as well Public Health and Prevention Minister Ashley Dalton. The appeal is aiming to raise £300m to help build the Children's Cancer Centre. 'The Children's Cancer Centre will make a difference to every child who comes to GOSH, and particularly, it will help us advance how we care and treat children who have rare and complex cancers,' Mat Shaw, Great Ormond Street Hospital Chief Executive, said at the event. 'A massive thank you to everyone who is supporting the Build It. Beat It. appeal – we couldn't do this without you," he added. Mr Dalton said he hospital is a "symbol of what we can achieve when we combine the excellence of our NHS people, innovative technologies, ground-breaking treatment and world-class research". 'As someone living with cancer myself, I know how terrifying a diagnosis can be - and when it happens to our children, that's unimaginable," he added. 'These families deserve a government that's backing them every step of the way, which is why we've relaunched the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce and will ensure children's cancer is at the forefront of our Plan for Change." GOSH and Sisk are "working hard to limit the impacts of the development on the local community and families who are coming to the hospital", they confirmed this week. Sisk are using a range of different methods for the works to limit dust, noise and vibrations during the build. See More: Children's Cancer Centre, Construction, GOSH, Sisk
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I work for just 2 weeks for 2 MONTHS' pay in job not everyone's able for – food is free & extra perks save me thousands
MEET the savvy 26-year-old who traded in working in the film biz for a lucrative job that some people would hate - but lets her save "huge chunks" of cash while she doesn't spend a cent. Caithilín Hughes is putting away thousands of euro for her future with her "life-changing" gig. 4 Caithilin does two-week stints on the mines, and comes out with two months' worth of earnings 4 Caithilín Hughes decided to train as a machine operator 4 She said the role has been 'life-changing' and has allowed her to save thousands She has a degree in film production and worked as a videographer before deciding to make the move to Western Australia last year. And after a stint as a traffic controller, she bagged a job as a FIFO miner in the Kimberley region just two months in. FIFO roles work on a two weeks on, two weeks off basis and, as the acronym suggests, employees can fly in from the surrounding area to complete their residency. The roles are available in areas with big mining operations and there's a number of job opportunities on sites from technical roles to hospitality and support staff. Accommodation and meals are provided while on the job - in addition to the pay. And depending on qualifications, the programme offers salaries of up to €94,000 (AU$150,000) to attract workers. Caithílin, from "I spent days and weeks applying online but it can be hard to get a job in an industry with no previous experience. "It seems to be that if you know someone, from home, that works in the FIFO world it is a lot easier to get a job. "I just so happened to get talking to an Irishman driving to a traffic control job I was working at. I make thousands a month working on mines in Australia and there's so many perks "As the Irish do, we got chatting and he gave me a contact for a job. That was how I got in." EARLY STARTS Caithilín, who earns two months' wages in two weeks, told how she works long shifts in 40C heat with very early starts. She added: "Our day starts at 3.30am. With breakfast opening up for everyone about 4, it's then on the bus and straight to work for 5am. "We have a quick prestart and then out to our machines. "We in them for about 10 hours each day, either side of our breaks, operating the machines in whatever needs moved or completed for the day. "We then come back to camp about 6pm. It's just enough time for dinner, the gym and then straight to sleep to do it all over again. "The pay rates range from role to role. Most machine operators make somewhere between $45-$70 aud an hour depending on machine skills and experience." 'SAVING ASPECT' And she revealed it's a great job for saving as there's no need to spend money. Caithilín said: "The only reason why I and so many Irish people are doing these jobs are for the saving aspect. "For the two weeks I am up there I do not spend any money at all. "My food is free, accommodation is free, gym is free, flights are provided for. "Of course everyone will have basic bills and necessities that have to come out. "But the saving factor is why so many are doing it, the salaries are good - and yes you can get these kinds of salaries in other sectors in roles. "But living and working in the same place, without any expenses is the drawing factor. " 'PRETTY MALE DOMINATED' Caithilín said there are not a lot of women doing the job and those interested should think "long and hard" before applying. She continued: "It is pretty male dominated. I am the only girl on my team at work but there is lots of other girls within our company, and on site. "My advice to Irish girls coming to Australia to work in the mines would be if it's something you want to do think about it long and hard, it can be both difficult and expensive to get into. "It might also be good to apply for jobs and roles alongside a friend. "Starting a new job in a new country, in a largely male dominated industry can be tricky. "However, if you have a goal in mind to reach. I think to give it a year of your life, the saving elements to the roles can be life changing. "A good salary can come with any job but it's the saving of money, free everything basically, that is having so many Irish people return home to Caithilín said there are a number of initial expenses in order to get set up that people need to be aware of. She said: "The first thing you will need to do when you get to Australia is you'll need to get a white card that will cost you about $100. "It's standard for anybody who does any sort of construction job. "It's just like a health and safety card. Then I did my Moxie ticket which was about $500. "The next thing I went on and did was my traffic control ticket just purely to get a job straight away and that was $600. "It's pretty standard everywhere because it's about a three day course. "I then went and got my HR lorry licence which is what you need to drive any of the machines you want to drive out on the road. "Sometimes you might be driving them between sites. Some places are about $1,100 to $1,500. This is the most expensive thing but it's like the golden ticket basically everywhere in Western Australia. "I then went on and did my Water Cart for $550 and my Roller Ticket which cost $550. "In total that is about $3,600. So be aware that you might be spending that much when you first come out here to level yourself up straight away." Former Miss Universe Gráinne Gallanagh swapped her glamorous dresses and tiara for a boiler suit and hard hat for a year. The 30- year-old , who won Ireland in 2018, spent her days escorting trucks and fuelling up machines. Gráinne also revealed how she was one of the only women on the construction site and was initially worried that she might feel uncomfortable. She previously told "We have the craic on site. I've only been there since August but already I've been awarded employee of the month and employee of the year." 4 She has shared her advice for women interested in the job
