Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 February 2024
332. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when farmers will receive payments for ACRES; the number of farmers waiting for confirmation of a payment date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4794/24]
View answerAs the deputy is aware, there was unprecedented demand under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) Tranche 1. This is a reflection of the interest amongst farmers in taking on actions to address climate, biodiversity, and environmental issues. In response, all eligible Tranche 1 applications were approved, with just under 46,000 active contracts now in place.
ACRES payments commenced on December 15th, with payments issuing in the initial payment run to two-thirds of all ACRES General participants. Further payments have been made in January 2024 to additional ACRES General participants that had cleared payment validations. Currently there are 9,081 ACRES General participants awaiting payment. Work is ongoing on the preparation of Co-operation stream advance payments to the 18,408 Tranche 1 participants, and every effort is being made to deliver these payments as quickly as possible.
As is the case with all EU co-funded schemes, all ACRES applications must pass regulatory controls and validations before payment can issue. Validations are currently being carried out and officials continue to work to expedite payments.
ACRES General payments will continue to issue on an ongoing basis, as cases are cleared for payment.
