Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1122. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that all valid 2023/2024 applications for ACRES are finalised, and payments issued without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1971/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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ACRES advance payments for the 2024 scheme year commenced on 22 November 2024, when payments totalling €123.7 million were made to 28,294 Tranche 1 participants. Currently, a total of €172.1 million has been paid in advance payments in respect of the 2024 scheme year to 39,826 ACRES participants that have cleared all the required pre-payment checks.

A total of €246.9 million has been paid to 42,075 participants (25,254 General and 16,821 Co-operation), or 93.6% of all ACRES participants, in respect of their participation in ACRES in 2023.

My Department is working to process the remaining payments. Further pay runs, to participants in both Tranches, will take place in the coming weeks, and will continue thereafter on a fortnightly basis as cases pass all required validation checks.

I can assure you that everything is being done to pay, as soon as possible, all ACRES participants who clear pre-payment checks.