Department pays nearly €147m to almost 34,000 ACRES farmers

Minister of agriculture, Martin Heydon, it reflects the Government’s commitment to supporting farm families in a range of environmental, biodiversity, water quality and climate projects

Almost €147m worth of ACRES payments have been paid out to tranche one farmers.

Advanced payments of €146.94m to tranche one participants in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) have now started.

Making the announcement, minister of agriculture, Martin Heydon, said: “I am happy to confirm that advance payments to participants in ACRES in respect of 2025 have commenced, with €146.94 million being paid this week to 33,794 farmers who entered ACRES in 2023.

"I anticipate that a further 8,000 farmers who joined ACRES in 2024 will receive €32.69 million next week. 

The issuing of 2025 advance payments to 42,000 farmers, or 78% of all ACRES participants, in these first pay runs is evidence of the work done over the last year to improve the timeliness of ACRES payments. 

"The processing of contracts for the remaining participants is continuing.” 

Minister Heydon said the advanced payments reflect the Government’s commitment to achieving objectives supporting farm families in a range of environmental, biodiversity, water quality and climate projects.

The minister concluded by saying: “I want to maintain the current momentum in ACRES, and a key contributor to the issuing of payments is the submission of returns by the participants. 

"I encourage anyone who has not sent in their ACRES LESS declaration for 2025 to do so as soon as possible, and I also encourage farmers undertaking the Conservation of Rare Breeds action to send in their returns by 15 November 2025. The timely submission of these helps the department to progress those contracts for payment.”