Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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391. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected date that farmers awaiting payment under the ACRES co-operation scheme will be paid on in view that he previously confirmed payments would commence in February 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5196/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I fully appreciate the frustration felt by farmers experiencing payment delays and their concern regarding uncertainty of payments. Officials in my Department are working continuously to expedite payments to all ACRES participants as a matter of absolute priority.

Over €79 million has been paid in advance payments to date to 17,723 participants in the ACRES Scheme.

ACRES General stream participants that did not receive a payment in December 2023 will continue to be processed through pre-payment checks and will be added to pay runs as all checks are cleared.

ACRES Co-operation Project payments are more complex to administer. Work is ongoing in this regard, with every effort being made to deliver payments as quickly as possible.