The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has said that almost 94% of all Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) participants are now up to date with payments.

According to the latest data published by the department, a total of €512.2 million has now been paid to farmers participating in the agri-environmental scheme.

Of that total, almost €263.6 million is in respect of participation in the scheme in 2024, while just under €248.6 million relates to participation in 2023.

Last Friday (June 27), balancing payments, in respect of participation in the ACRES in 2023, were made to 19 participants, with those payments amounting to nearly €21,000.

DAFM said that this brought the total paid in respect of participation in ACRES in 2023 to just under €248.6 million, paid to 44,186 participants, or almost 99% of all tranche 1 participants.

The department noted that a total of 514 farmers have yet to receive their final payments for 2023.

Of these, 236 have already received an interim payment of either €4,000 or €5,000, respectively.

DAFM said that in many instances, this will cover the entire amount of the payment due.

Department officials are continuing to process these cases with payments are being made on a weekly basis to farmers whose contracts have been cleared during that period.

Advance payments, in respect of participation in the scheme in 2024, were made on June 27 to 358 participants, with those payments amounting to over €1.6 million.

This payment run brought total 2024 advance payments to over €225.27 million, paid to 52,394 farmers, or 97% of all ACRES participants.

Advance payments in respect of scheme participation in 2024 have still to be made to 1,586 farmers across tranches 1 and 2.

Of that total, 514 are also awaiting their balancing payment in respect of 2023, as that must be paid before the 2024 advance payment may be made to them.

Advance payments in respect of 2024 will continue to be made weekly as contracts are cleared for payment.

Balancing payments for ACRES participation in 2024 began on May 15 this year.

The most recent payment run of June 27 paid €2,117,626 to a further 2,805 participants.

This brought the total paid in balancing payments in respect of 2024 to over €38.3 million to 50,617 farmers.

Almost 94% of all ACRES participants are now fully paid in respect of their participation in the scheme in 2023 and 2024.

The department said that it is continuing to progress the contracts awaiting final payment in respect of 2023 and/or advance payment in respect of 2024, with those being the more complex cases.

DAFM encouraged farmers and advisors to submit, as soon as possible, any outstanding documentation that will allow the department to progress and complete their claims in the coming weeks.