Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
226. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will bring forward the payment date for the ANC scheme in light of the huge cash flow challenges faced by farmers due to adverse weather conditions over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22228/24]
View answerPayments to farmers under the wide range of schemes operated by my department are of critical importance to ensuring the on-going viability of Irish farms.
In relation to the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme, which is a Pillar II Scheme, in 2024 my Department will commence payments from September 18th to ensure money flows as soon as practically possible to farmers. This payment date is in line with the traditional payment date of the ANC Scheme to farmers and is a full month earlier than in 2023.
The payment dates for decoupled Direct Payments, which include the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), the Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS), the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF) and ECO schemes, along with the decoupled Protein Aid are set out in Regulation.
The earliest date that payments can commence is December 1st, but a provision in the regulations allows for an advance payment to be made before this, but not earlier than 16th of October.
As set out in the terms and conditions for BISS and other 2024 Area Based Schemes, advance payments will commence from this earliest possible date, which is October 16th for the main Pillar 1 Direct Payment Schemes.
