Late claims, received after 5.00pm on 31 December, will not be accepted for grant payment under any circumstances. It is the farmer’s responsibility to ensure that his/her claim is lodged by the closing date and a receipt /acknowledgement for it is obtained.
Claims will not be accepted at DARD sub-offices after 19 December and should not be posted through letterboxes or left at these offices which will be unmanned. Farmers who post their claims, do so at their own risk that the department may not receive them in time. The date of receipt by the department will apply, not the date of posting.
We would also remind those who have yet to claim that DARD is under no obligation to pay grant on works completed after 31 December 2008. The only way for farmers to be sure of receiving grant aid is by completely finishing their work to the required standard by 31 December 2008.
Claims can be submitted to Grants and Subsidies Payments Branch, Orchard House or any of the DARD offices listed below.
Notes to Editors:
1. Claims will be accepted at the following offices:
Grants and Subsidies Payments Branch
Orchard House 40 Foyle Street Derry BT48 6AT Tel: (028) 7131 9900 Fax: (028) 71 319800County Antrim
Kilpatrick House 38-54 High Street Ballymena BT43 6DT Tel:(028) 2566 2800 Fax( 028) 2566 2838Co Armagh
2 Newry Road Armagh BT60 1EN Tel:(028) 3751 5600 Fax: (028 )3751 5611Co Down
Rathkeltair House Market Street Downpatrick BT 30 6LZ Tel: (028) 4461 8000 Fax:(028) 4461 8226Co Fermanagh
Iniskeen House Killyhevlin Enniskillen BT74 4EJ Tel:(028) 6632 5004 Tel: (028)6634 3000Co Londonderry
Crown Buildings Artillery Road Coleraine BT 52 2AJ Tel:(028) 7034 1111 Fax:(028)70 34 1140Co Tyrone
Sperrin House Sedan Avenue Omagh BT 79 7AQ Tel:(028) 8225 1020 Fax:(028) 8225 3500DARD
Glenree House Unit 2 Springhill Road Carnabane Industrial Estate Newry BT 35 6EF Tel:(028) 3025 3200 Fax:(028) 3025 3222DARD
Crown Buildings Thomas Street Dungannon Co Tyrone BT 70 1HR Tel:(028) 8775 4777 Fax:(028) 8775 48882. The Farm Nutrient Management Scheme (FNMS) is a key measure to improve water quality in Northern Ireland. It provides financial assistance to farmers towards the cost of additional slurry and manure storage facilities.
3. The Nitrates Directive Action Programme Regulations require livestock farms to have a minimum of 22 weeks slurry storage capacity. Pig and poultry farms require 26 weeks storage capacity. Many farms are making significant investment to meet this requirement.
4. All claims must be received by the Department by 31 December 2008.
5. On receipt of a valid claim, the Department aims to pay full claims within 12 weeks and, where requested, part payments within 4 weeks.
6. All claims must be paid by 31 December 2009.
7. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
