Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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116. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department will have the IT system in place to pay those persons who are part of a partnership arrangement (details supplied) who have applied under the ACRES scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4433/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The persons named were approved into Tranche 1 of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2023.I can confirm that the ACRES claim for the persons named is progressing through the necessary validation checks. This claim is one of a batch of partnership claims that have not issued and officials are working actively to facilitate payment as soon as possible.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Liming Programme was launched in March 2023 to incentivise the use of ground limestone, a natural soil conditioner which corrects soil acidity, makes nutrients more available for plant uptake, and improves overall soil health.

The Terms and Conditions for the Programme state "To qualify for support under the Programmeground limestone must be purchased directly from a quarry licenced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine".

On the 6th of October 2023 the named individual was notified by email that he was ineligible for aid under the Programme as the claim submitted didn't comply with this Condition. This position was further confirmed by email to the named individual on the 15th of November in response to a query raised by him.

On the 28th of November 2023 the named individual submitted a formal appeal. This was considered by the Department and the decision regarding that appeal issued to the named individual on the 26th of January 2024.