Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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866. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of outstanding cases where the scorecards of a plot or plots of applicants under ACRES were omitted inadvertently when the planner was submitting scorecards; if it is possible to make a late submission of such scorecards; if not, the reason this is not possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44926/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that the Deputy is referring to scorecards in respect of the 2024 ACRES scheme year.

My Department is unable to determine whether an ACRES approved adviser did not submit a scorecard as planned, or whether a scorecard was omitted inadvertently. There are 11,675 herds in respect of whom at least one scorecard was not submitted (relating to owned and/or leased parcels) for the 2024 scheme year. Of this number, 1,546 herds had outstanding scorecards on owned parcels only. As the Deputy may be aware, there is no obligation for rented or leased parcels to be scored.

The ACRES terms and conditions state that only scorecards submitted within the allowed time frame will be eligible for payment in that year. ACRES circular 28 of 2024, issued on 30th of August 2024, stated that the deadline for submission of scorecards without penalty had been extended until the 7th of September 2024. However, scorecards could not be submitted after this date.