Minister: ACRES balancing payments dealt with 'on case-by-case basis'
The Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, today (Thursday, February 6) told the Dáil that balancing Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) payments are being dealt with on a "case-by-case basis".
Minister Martin Heydon had faced questions in the Dáil from the Sinn Féin TD for Mayo, Rose Conway-Walsh, on what she described as the "ACRES debacle" and on when outstanding payments would be made to farmers.
Deputy Conway-Walsh asked Minister Heydon: "What is going on?
"We cannot understand what is going on. To say there is a computer glitch is okay for a day or two but to use the problem of a computer glitch for months on end, while people are not getting paid, is not acceptable.
"Farmers are left in limbo as they wait to find out whether they are getting an additional payment or a bill for their 2023 participation in the ACRES scheme."
According to Minister Heydon payments have been finalised to 94% of ACRES tranche 1 farmers in relation to their participation in the scheme in 2023, to a total value of €247.1 million.
"Balancing payments in respect of 2023 remain to be made to approximately 2,700 farmers.
"Certain issues such as transfer of contracts, alignment with Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and issues with scorecards have contributed to delay in making some of those payments.
"Work is ongoing to resolve these issues and every effort is being made to process outstanding payments as quickly as possible," the minister added.
He admitted that 2023 had been a "challenging" year for ACRES.
Minister Heydon added: "We are now working through the final calculation for the 2,700 farmers who are outstanding as to exactly what amount they are due.
"For those who require a top-up payment, that will be pursued. We are dealing with processing of those balancing payments now on a case-by-case basis. These are some of the more complex issues."
The minister told the Dáil that he takes on board the frustration of farmers in relation to ACRES payment issues.
"The year 2024 saw a significant improvement in processing through the issues and getting on top of those that were highlighted in 2023.
"Some 75% of ACRES advance payments were made in 2024, which is a reflection of the fact that progress has been made in the delivery of the required IT systems," Minister Heydon added.
But the Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine also acknowledged that "there is more to be done" in relation to ACRES payments and that it is a "major priority" for him to resolve outstanding issues.
"We want to ensure that those who have outstanding payments or issues are dealt with as quickly as possible," he added.
