Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

367. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason SCEP payments are on hold; when payments will recommence; and the length of time before all 2024 payments are complete. [22360/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) aims to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd.

SCEP payments of €47.8 million issued to 14,943 SCEP participants who were eligible for payment in early December 2024. Those not eligible for payment in December 2024 included participants for example with a land error, those who had been granted additional time to complete SCEP training and/or had other non-eligibility issues.

Those participants who were not eligible to receive a payment in December 2024 who have since become eligible, will receive their payment in the next payment run with payments expected to commence in mid-May 2025. In addition, any participant who received a payment in December 2024 and whose compliance rates have subsequently increased by the relevant compliance date will be paid any additional monies due to the mid-May payment run too. Following that payment run, payments will continue to issue to any further herds that become compliant.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

368. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons an ACRES payment has not been made to a person (details supplied). [22379/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person named submitted an application under the ACRES General stream and was approved into Tranche 2 of the scheme, with a commencement date of 1st January 2024.

I have been advised that payment has not yet issued in this case as it is one of a cohort of cases containing rotational actions, in respect of which payments are expected to start issuing in the coming weeks. As the Deputy may be aware, ACRES payments continue to issue on a weekly basis in respect of all cases that have been fully processed and validated in the intervening period.

My Department will continue to issue regular online updates over the coming period on the progress being made, with the expectation of having the vast majority of payments in respect of farmers’ participation in ACRES in 2023 and 2024 made by the end of May 2025, with the remaining more complex cases paid by the end of June 2025.