John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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690. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is possible for an ACRES payment for 2024 to be paid to farm partnerships instead of individual farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33928/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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As per section 10 of the scheme terms and conditions, Registered Farm Partnerships (RFPs) are eligible to participate in ACRES subject to certain provisions as outlined. Payments have issued to RFPs and will continue to do so over the remainder of the scheme.

Having said this, issues have arisen in certain circumstances where a change of contract is taking place. The process of transferring ACRES contracts to a new owner, and updating the herd details across the various systems used by ACRES, is complex, but work is ongoing to facilitate these changes, and when completed - which I expect to happen very soon - payments will issue to those who have had their change of contract requests approved.

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