Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

301. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the planned payment dates in 2024 for the areas of natural constraints scheme and the basic income support for sustainability scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30820/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Farm payments are a critical component of farm income. I'm fully aware of the importance of the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) and the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) schemes as for many farmers these form a significant proportion of their annual payments.

The planned 2024 payment dates for the ANC scheme and the BISS scheme, are set out in the BISS terms and conditions which note:

• September 18th, 2024 - ANC Advance payments commence.
• October 16th, 2024 – BISS Advance payments commence.
• December 2nd, 2024 – Balancing payments commence.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

302. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the planned payment dates in 2024 for applicants under ACRES; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30821/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Scheme year 2024 advance payments are scheduled to commence in November 2024.

Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) payments for scheme year 2023 commenced over the period December 2023 to January 2024, when €88.35 million was issued in advance payments to 19,719 ACRES General participants.

In recognition of the complexity of the scheme and the time required to fully process all payments, interim payments issued to all other participants in February and March 2024. Payments of €4,000 were made to General participants and €5,000 to Co-Operation participants.

My Department commenced balancing payments on the 19th of June. A total of 31,808 participants have been paid to date, with total payments made to ACRES participants since last December now amounting to just under €234 million. Further balancing payments will continue to be made on a fortnightly basis as cases are cleared.