Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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227. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the start of the ACRES (geese and swan) which is due to start from 1 October 2024, by two to three weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38273/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The objective of the Geese and Swans action in the ACRES Scheme is to promote the production of an undisturbed foraging area to support overwintering geese and swans. The requirements in relation to this action are stated in the Scheme Specifications, with one of the requirements being that no livestock or machinery operation is to take place on lands from 1st October to 31st March (with the exception of hedge cutting, in the case of grassland parcels, where the hedge cutting may take place up to 31 October).

This requirement is in place as each year, a large influx of waterbird species, including Whooper Swan, Greenland White Fronted Goose, Barnacle Goose and Brent Goose, fly from northerly regions into Ireland for the winter. They arrive in Ireland during the month of September and forage on coastal grasslands, offshore islands and wetlands before gearing up for the return journey north, to breed. The commencement date of the closed period for livestock and machinery operations is required to achieve the objectives of the action and, for this reason, the start date may not be extended as it would negatively impact on such achievement.