Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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617. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56549/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the agri-environment climate measure under 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.

In response to the Deputy’s query about the requirement to take pictures of the property as part of the FSP, it should be noted that this requirement is only relevant where four specific actions are being selected as part of the application.

My Department has issued a Circular to all approved ACRES Advisors in relation to this task in view an option is provided where land is inaccessible due to flooding. This Circular is available on my Department’s website at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea7a3-acres-information-for-advisors/#acres-circulars

The online system for the submission of ACRES applications was opened on 17th October 2022 with a closing date of Monday 21st November 2022 for the submission of applications under the current Tranche. This timeline was to facilitate the pre-approval validation process and the ranking and selection of applications to be undertaken in advance of approved contracts commencing on 1st January 2023.

While my Department had provided certain access and extensive information to approved ACRES advisors in advance of the formal opening of the Scheme, advisory bodies and individual advisors have, in recent weeks, been drawing my attention to the pressure advisors are experiencing in working to that deadline.

I was also monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis and decided last week to extend the closing date to Wednesday 7th December 2022 to help farmers and their advisors.