Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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158. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers participating in ACRES in County Monaghan; the number who have been paid; the total amount paid; the average amount paid; the number whose payment has been delayed; the total and average amount by which payments have been delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24882/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The below table presents the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) payment details for the 954 farmers participating in the scheme in County Monaghan. Of these 954 participants, 689 joined Tranche 1 while the remaining 265 are in Tranche 2.

Balancing payments for the 2023 scheme year commenced in June 2024 and, as the above table demonstrates, all bar 16 participants in County Monaghan have had their contracts finalised in those 11 months. 2024 advance payments began in November last and following the payment runs that have issued during the last 6 months 35 County Monaghan participants now await payment. It is not possible to determine the value of an ACRES contract in advance as the payment is only calculated as it issues.

ACRES payments continue to issue on a weekly basis as cases pass all required validation checks. 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, and the remaining more complex cases paid by the end of June 2025.

Balancing payments in respect of farmers' participation in the Scheme in 2024 will also commence shortly.