Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1230. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application for ACRES will be approved for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57145/23]
View answerI can confirm that an application for Tranche 2 of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) was submitted on behalf of the person named.
In Budget 2024 I increased the allocation for ACRES by €40m, bringing the total 2024 scheme allocation to €200 million - a substantial increase on the 2023 budget of €160 million. The provision of additional funding will enable delivery on the Government’s commitment to have 50,000 farmers participating in ACRES. With just under 46,000 farmers currently participating under Tranche 1, in the region of 4,000 additional contracts will be offered under ACRES Tranche 2.
All applications will be validated against the eligibility criteria outlined in the scheme specifications and terms and conditions over the coming weeks. All valid applications will then be entered into a ranking and selection process. Following this, all applicants will be notified whether their applications have been successful or unsuccessful. It is expected that these notifications will issue to applicants in the first quarter of the year.
