Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1886. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, following a recent meeting that he hosted with farmers involved in the Burren Life and Burren Beo agri-environmental scheme, he will make adjustments to the new agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, or provide a separate funding scheme for Burren farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2335/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department’s agri-environment scheme, ACRES, has proved very popular with farmers all over the country, including in the Burren region. Tranche 1 of the Scheme was over-subscribed, including in the Burren where some 1,000 applications were received compared to the 300 that were in the old Burren scheme. This means more farmers in the Burren scheme are benefitting from an agri-environment scheme than ever. The Department is currently processing and validating the applications received.

This strong interest expressed by Burren farmers in applying to join ACRES means the learnings gained from the Burren Programme and European Innovation Partnership (EIP) projects can be applied to a greater number of farms in ACRES. The broader reach of the new Scheme will contribute to improving biodiversity, climate, air and water quality over a greater area of the Burren and Aran Islands.