John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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258. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2024 ACRES scheme payment will issue to a farmer in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30890/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The person named submitted an application under the ACRES Co-operation stream and was approved into Tranche 1 of the scheme, with a commencement date of 1st January 2023.

While payments for 2023 have been made, to date this case has not passed all the required 2024 advance payment validations due to an issue relating to the commonage claim. The case is being worked on and I expect this issue to be resolved in the coming weeks.

As cases clear validations, they are added to the next scheduled pay run. Pay runs are taking place weekly across all scheme years and tranches. I can assure you that everything is being done to pay, as soon as possible, all ACRES participants who clear pre-payment checks.

Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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259. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how independent valuers can apply for roles under the on-farm market valuation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30894/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The On Farm Market Valuation Scheme (OFMV) is the main element of the compensation regime for bovine livestock slaughtered as part of a national statutory disease eradication programme. Independent Valuers are appointed by me to undertake live valuations of bovine livestock under the OFMV for official disease control purposes. The current panel of Independent Valuers is due to expire on 31st October 2025.

On 10th March 2025 my Department commenced a call from suitably qualified individuals wishing to be considered for the role of Independent Valuer under the On-Farm Market Valuation Scheme (OFMV). That application process has now closed.

Applications that satisfied the qualification criteria were progressed to Stage 2 of the process. Those applicants have been invited to attend one of several live assessment days scheduled in locations around the country from Tuesday 24th June to Wednesday 9th July 2025.

Applicants who are successful at Stage 2 will be placed on the Valuer Panel which will be established on 1st November 2025 and will run for a period of 3 years.

Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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260. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a date for the payment of ACRES 2023 and 2024 for a person [details supplied]; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30915/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The person named submitted an application under the ACRES General stream and was approved into Tranche 1 of the scheme, with a commencement date of 1st January 2023. An ACRES interim payment issued to the herd owner in February 2024 in the sum of €4,000.

To date this case has not passed the 2023 payment validations. Department officials are actively working to resolve the issues preventing this case from clearing the required checks as a matter of urgency. A dedicated team has been put in place to complete the outstanding 2023 cases, and resources are being allocated, where required, to ensure that remaining payments are made as soon as possible. Once the payment claim for 2023 is finalised, this case will then progress to validation checks for the 2024 advance payment.

As cases clear validations, they are added to the next scheduled pay run. Pay runs are taking place weekly across all scheme years and tranches. I can assure you that everything is being done to pay, as soon as possible, all ACRES participants who clear pre-payment checks.