There is €146.94m worth of advance Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) payments on their way to farmers who joined the scheme in its first tranche, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has announced.

There are 33,794 farmers who have been participating in ACRES since 2023 who are due the advance portion of their 2025 payments as part of this payment run.

Minister Heydon has said that he expects advance 2025 payments to begin issuing to those who entered the scheme in 2024 from next week.

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“I am happy to confirm that advance payments to participants in ACRES in respect of 2025 have commenced, with €146.94m being paid this week to 33,794 farmers who entered ACRES in 2023,” he stated.

“I anticipate that a further 8,000 farmers who joined ACRES in 2024 will receive €32.69m next week.

“The issuing of 2025 advance payments to 42,000 farmers, or 78% of all ACRES participants, in these first pay runs is evidence of the work done over the last year to improve the timeliness of ACRES payments. The processing of contracts for the remaining participants is continuing.”

The total funding paid out to ACRES farmers since the scheme came into play will hit €697m after the advance 2025 payment run is complete.

“This reflects the Government’s commitment to achieving a range of environmental, biodiversity, water quality and climate objectives by supporting farm families in their environmental journey,” Minister Heydon commented.

“ACRES is an ambitious scheme and there have been challenges presented by Ireland’s level of ambition.

“I want to maintain the current momentum in ACRES, and a key contributor to the issuing of payments is the submission of returns by the participants.”

Submitting records

Minister Heydon urged ACRES participants carrying out the low-emissions slurry spreading action who have yet to submit a 2025 declaration to so as soon as possible.

He also encouraged farmers undertaking the conservation of rare breeds action to submit their returns to the Department of Agriculture by 15 November.

“The timely submission of these helps the Department to progress those contracts for payment.”