Anticipation is growing that all 46,000 farmers who applied to ACRES will be accommodated this year. Minister McConalogue, speaking to farmers at a Fianna Fáil meeting in Longford on Tuesday night, again said he is hopeful of being able to bring all successful applicants into the scheme this year.

“That’s my ambition and my desire. That has always been the case. I am having useful conversations with my own team and I will bring clarity on the situation shortly,” he said.

There were only 30,000 places allocated for the €1.5bn environmental scheme, potentially leaving 16,000 without a place, although the Taoiseach and Minister for Agriculture both suggest gap payments would be an option for those left in limbo. The Department of Agriculture confirmed that it will write to farmers “shortly” regarding their status.

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