Over €9.92 million has been paid to participants in the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP).

There is a total of 5,543 participants, with 4,374 paid to date, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) told Agriland.

This means 1,169 farmers are awaiting payment.

The Farming for Water EIP is delivered by an operational group led by the River Basin Management Service (formerly LAWPRO), which includes Teagasc and Dairy Industry Ireland.

A DAFM spokesperson said: "Approvals for applications, verification of measures taken, processing and approval of individual farmer payments for the EIP are made by the River Basin Management Service administration staff and catchment scientists.

"Payment checks are conducted by the department."

Farming for Water

The Farming for Water EIP project is available in priority catchments across the country where water quality is not meeting its targets.

The project specifically focuses on reducing losses of phosphorus, nitrogen, sediment and pesticides to water from agricultural lands.

The project aims to engage up to 15,000 farmers.

Funding is provided for measures that are over and above regulatory requirements, such as supplementary measures like sediment traps, riparian areas and catch crops.

The five-year budget for the Farming for Water EIP is €60 million, with €50 million from DAFM for farmer payments and €10 million from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for administration of the project.