Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy is seeking an update on the availability of ACRES Training courses (one of the core requirements for farmers participating in ACRES is that they must attend an ACRES Training Course in their first year of participation in the scheme).

The ACRES Training Scheme (ATS) is a training measure under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027. The ATS puts in place a framework whereby courses are provided by approved ACRES Trainers for ACRES participants to fulfil the relevant core requirement. The purpose of the course is to facilitate knowledge transfer and acquisition of information on specific actions, complemented by on-line demonstrations/advice on good environmental practices.

There are currently 511 approved ACRES Trainers who may create and hold such mandatory courses under the Scheme. A list of these Trainers is available on my Department’s website. The maximum number of ACRES participants who may attend an ACRES Training course is 30. As the ACRES Trainers are located throughout the country and are currently scheduling courses, there should be opportunities for ACRES participants to avail of courses in their vicinity over the next few months.

As ACRES participants in Tranche 1 have until 31 December 2023 to complete the mandatory course, non-attendance at an ACRES Training course will not impact the making of advance payments to ACRES participants in November and December 2023. Payments will not be made from 1 January 2024 to an ACRES participant in Tranche 1 until such time as they have satisfactorily attended the mandatory ACRES Training course.

It is recommended that each participant makes contact with an ACRES Trainer to arrange attendance at a mandatory ACRES Training course as soon as possible, in order to facilitate the making of payments on a timely basis.