Agriculture Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024

Wednesday, 17 January 2024

Ceisteanna (1154, 1161, 1209)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

1154. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on delays in ACRES payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56222/23]

Johnny Mythen

Ceist:

1161. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite ACRES payments (details supplied) to pre-Christmas 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56358/23]

Pa Daly

Ceist:

1209. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for specific dates when the delayed ACRES general payments can be expected. [56827/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1154, 1161 and 1209 together.

In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) was launched in 2022. There was exceptional demand for entry, which demonstrates the interest of farmers to take on actions to address climate, biodiversity and environmental issues.

While it was initially planned to take in up to 50,000 applicants over two Tranches, with 30,000 in Tranche 1, the decision was made to accept all valid applications submitted under Tranche 1. There are currently just under 46,000 farmers actively participating in the scheme. 

The decision to accept all valid applications for Tranche 1 put significant pressure on the ability to pay all participants in 2023. ACRES payments commenced on December 15th, with payment issuing in the initial payment run to two thirds of all ACRES General participants.  ACRES General payments will continue to issue in the coming weeks, and on an ongoing basis, as cases are cleared for payment.

Due to the additional complexity associated with the Co-operation Project (CP) stream, payments for ACRES CP participants will begin to issue in February 2024.

A Frequently Asked Questions document on ACRES Tranche 1 payments has been circulated to all ACRES advisors and CP teams, and is published on my Department’s website.