Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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1138. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current situation regarding a 2022 BPS payment (details supplied); and if his Department can issue payment on two outstanding entitlements with regard to this claim. [17592/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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A 2022 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) Application in respect of the person named was received on 12 May 2022. The application was processed with an advance payment issuing in October 2022 and the remaining balancing payment due, issuing in December 2022.

Subsequently a request seeking to amend the original application was received on 13th February 2023. The request was to add two additional land parcels to the 2022 Basic Payment Application which were omitted at the time of application.

However, under the Terms and Conditions of the Basic Payment scheme, requests to add land can only be considered up to the closing date for amendments, which was 31st May 2022.

As this request was received outside the allowable time period, unfortunately, it cannot be considered. A letter outlining this decision and the right of appeal has issued to the person named.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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1139. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will investigate the reason his Department is stating that an application has not been received in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, in view of the fact the application was submitted on time, and that the agricultural advisor has proof that the plan aspect of the application was submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17622/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Tranche 1 of ACRES opened for applications on Monday 17th October 2022 and closed on Wednesday 7th December 2022. The closing was extended by two weeks to assist advisors and farmers in the preparation and submission of applications.

The ACRES application process was outlined to all ACRES advisors at ACRES advisor training which was attended by all ACRES advisors. The process was also outlined via ACRES Circular No 10/2022 dated November 9th 2022 which was sent as a reminder to all ACRES advisors. The process required advisors to undertake the following mandatory steps for each application

1. Submit an Expression of Interest;

2. Prepare and submit a Farm Sustainability Plan (FSP);

3. Complete and submit the ACRES application (to include relevant uploads, namely, the submission of valid soil sample results where available & proof of membership of a breed society if selecting Conservation of Rare Breeds action).

The ACRES team in my Department has completed an extensive search of the ACRES application system to trace the possible submission of an ACRES application on behalf of the person named. This search has confirmed that not all of the necessary steps were completed by the advisor. As the application process was not completed, no application was successfully submitted for this herd number.

The application window for Tranche 1 of ACRES has now closed, approvals have issued and no further applications can be submitted. The option to apply for Tranche 2 will be open to all eligible farmers. It is anticipated that Tranche 2 will open for applications later this year with contracts in that Tranche to commence from 1st January 2024.