A review of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is not yet finalised, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has confirmed.

In October 2024, then minister for agriculture Charlie McConalogue ordered a review of the €1.5 billion agri-environmental scheme.

This followed strong criticism over delays in scheme payments to farmers.

There are currently 53,209 participants in ACRES, which is a major part of Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan.

The average core payment to farmers in the scheme currently stands at just over €5,000.

ACRES

In response to a parliamentary question from Green Party leader, Roderic O'Gorman, Minister Heydon confirmed that the review is still not complete.

"The purpose of the review was to examine the scheme to identify possible improvements in the experience of the participants and if environmental ambition has been fully realised," he said.

The minister said that as part of the review, meetings were held with farming bodies, advisory bodies and the ACRES Co-operation Project Teams, following which a draft report was compiled.

"I can confirm that issues which were impacting the timeliness of payments have now been resolved, with payments to 97% of all participants now up-to-date and over €786 million paid out in core scheme payments so far.

"All elements of ACRES have also now been implemented.

"The outcome of the review of ACRES, which is currently being finalised, will contribute to the design and development of the agri-environment climate actions to be made available under the Common Agricultural Policy post 2027," Minister Heydon added.