Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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447. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ACRES applications awaiting a response; the number of these outstanding applications that are from organic farmers; if he will confirm what actions are being taken to address any applications awaiting a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19196/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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ACRES is the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme and is the central agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027. The Government has committed €1.5 billion to ACRES over its duration.

There was significant interest in the Scheme with over 46,000 applications submitted for Tranche 1. I was pleased to announce last month that I was able to secure places for all valid applications submitted for Tranche 1. Decision letters issued to almost all applicants in early March with responses delayed in some cases where issues had been identified.

I am advised that 45 ACRES applicants are currently awaiting a response from my Department in relation to their ACRES application. The relevant ACRES advisors have been notified of the issues on each of these applications. I can confirm that four, of the 45 cases awaiting a response, relate to organic farmers (that is, members of Organic Certification Bodies).

My Department is are working to resolve the outstanding issues and it is anticipated that approval letters will issue for those cases that pass the ACRES pre-approval validations within the coming weeks.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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448. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers ruled out of the ANC scheme for reasons other than not meeting stocking density criteria in 2020, 2021 and 2022, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19277/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The information below shows the numbers of farmers ruled out of the ANC scheme and therefore ineligible to receive payment, by county, for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Reasons for ineligibility for cases listed above include:

• Applicant failed to submit required/requested documentation
• Insufficient documentation was submitted
• No breeding enterprise on the farm
• Equine passports not registered in applicant’s name
• Non eligible equines
• Land not available to applicant for full year due to lease/rental arrangements
• Applicant disallowed following inspection
• Island status not confirmed for payment under Islands scheme
• No BPS application received.
• Eligible area less than 3 Hectares
• Invalid application date
• Inconsistent area details - ANC/Island
• Applicant deceased.
• Case not accepted as Force majeure.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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449. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the hen harrier programme payment; if there are delays in processing applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19287/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 449 and 458 together.

The Hen Harrier Project is operationally independent of my Department and is run by the Hen Harrier Project Team. The Project team are responsible for the administration of the project and associated payments. Any queries relating to payments due should be addressed directly to the Project team.