Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

128. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the maximum number of applicants who will be accepted into the agri-climate rural environment scheme; the closing date for the scheme; the circumstances under which it is intended to reopen the scheme for further applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53169/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027.

It is the successor to the Green Low Carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) which was available under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. It is a voluntary scheme whereby farmers, when approved into the Scheme, undertake certain actions on their land for at least five years. It is the largest agri-environment scheme ever run by my Department, as well as the best funded with a budget of €1.5 billion.

There are two approaches available to farmers under ACRES, namely the ACRES General approach, or the ACRES Co-operation approach depending on the location of their holding. The Government has committed €1.5 billion to ACRES over its duration, which will facilitate the participation of 50,000 participants in ACRES overall.

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 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 intake into the scheme will be phased, with at least two tranches. This will help to spread the workload on advisors and enable them to allocate sufficient time for the preparation of applications, the completion of the Farm Sustainability Plans and selection of appropriate actions.

The system opened on Monday 17th October 2022 for the submission of applications under Tranche 1 of the Scheme. Prior to this the system had been open since mid-August for advisors to start preparing their draft plans. The closing date for such applications is Monday 21st November 2022. The contracts for those approved into the Scheme will commence on 1st January 2023.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

129. To ask 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]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The 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.