Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
129. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to increasing the number of farmers allowed into the ACRES programme given that there are currently only 50,000 places available between the co-operation entry route and the general entry route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53079/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023 – 2027 and is the successor to the Green Low Carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) which was available under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.
The EU budget agreement provides a certain level of funding to Ireland over the five year period from 2023 to 2027, with this funding split between Pillar I (Direct Payments and Sectoral Interventions) and Pillar II (Rural Development).
An allocation from the National Exchequer is also required to co-fund the Rural Development element of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. The CSP seeks to address a number of objectives and needs over the next CAP period, with the Government committing €1.5 billion to ACRES over its duration.
Using a habitats-based approach, delivered through both prescription and results-based actions, ACRES will contribute to improving biodiversity, climate, air, and water quality outcomes.
This commitment of €1.5 billion will facilitate the acceptance of 50,000 participants into the Scheme.
Farmers may apply for one of the approaches available under ACRES, namely the ACRES General approach, or the ACRES Co-operation approach depending on the location of their holding.
It is currently envisaged that the split will be 30,000 participants in ACRES General and 20,000 participants in ACRES Co-operation. This will, however, be ultimately subject to the level of interest in each approach.
While the overall number is similar to the number in GLAS, the higher maximum level of payment should be noted. There is a maximum annual payment of up to €7,311 to a participant in ACRES General while a participant in the ACRES Co-operation approach may receive up to €10,500 in a given year.
The system opened on Monday 17th October 2022 for submission of applications under Tranche 1 of the Scheme. The closing date for such applications is 23.59pm on Monday 21st November 2022. The contracts for those approved into the Scheme will commence on 1st January 2023.
