Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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317. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the timeframe for applications for a scheme (details supplied) can be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53994/22]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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318. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the deadline for applications to the ACRES scheme beyond 10 November 2022, given the complications with the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54001/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together.

The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the agri-environment climate measure which forms part of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027. Farmers may apply for one of the approaches available under ACRES, namely the ACRES Co-operation approach, available to farmers in eight defined high priority geographical areas, or the ACRES General approach which is available nationally outside of the eight ACRES Co-operation zones.

Farmers must engage the services of an approved ACRES advisor to prepare and submit the application. This includes the preparation of a Farm Sustainability Plan (FSP) which forms the bulk of the application.

There are currently just under 700 advisors approved for ACRES. While the ACRES application system opened on 17th October 2022, to support the preparation of applications, significant resources were made available in advance of this date to allow preparations for FSPs. Prior to opening my Department engaged extensively with advisors. This included the provision of training, both in-person and by webinar, the publication of draft specifications in August and the opening of the Department’s Generic Land Management (GLAM) system in mid August for training, information and map printing. All of these steps enabled advisors undertake preparatory work on the development of FSPs and applications in advance of the opening.

Support material has also been provided to advisors including system instruction manuals and guides, and video tutorials on the steps to be taken in preparing and submitting the application.

The intake into the scheme is also phased, with at least two tranches, to spread the workload of advisors.

The closing date for the submission of applications under the current Tranche is Monday 21^stNovember 2022. The supports and information provided in advance of scheme opening will assist advisors to meet this deadline.