Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1855. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an ACRES application can be accepted for a person (details supplied). [1933/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027. It is a voluntary scheme whereby farmers, when approved into the Scheme, will undertake certain actions on their land for at least five years.

I can confirm that an ACRES application was submitted on behalf of the person named.

All applications will be validated against the eligibility criteria outlined in the scheme specifications and terms and conditions over the coming weeks. All validated applications will then be entered into the ranking and selection process. Following this all applicants will be notified if their applications have been successful or unsuccessful. It is expected these notifications will issue to applicants in February.

The scheme has proven to be hugely successful with farmers very keen to join. There were over 46,000 applications made before the deadline in December. I am delighted to see such a strong response to ACRES. This shows clearly how engaged and ambitious our farm families are for embracing the climate and biodiversity challenge.