Agriculture Schemes

Monday, 9 September 2024

Ceisteanna (1278)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1278. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received from each of the three Aran Island, Árann, Inis Meáin and Inis Oirr, under Tranche 2 of ACTES; the number of these who have withdrawn their applications to date ; the number of remaining participants in the scheme on each island; whether he is concerned at the high attrition rate of applications due to the unsuitability of the scheme in this extremely high nature value area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35209/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The following table represents the total number of ACRES Tranche 2 applications submitted, withdrawn and currently active per island as of 28th August 2024:

-	Submitted	Withdrawn	Active
Inis Oírr	35	23	12
Inis Meáin	24	6	18
Inis Mor	46	21	25

As participation in an agri-environment scheme is a five-year commitment, a certain level of withdrawals can be expected. As ACRES is a voluntary scheme, farmers are not obliged to provide a reason to explain their decision to withdraw. Based on the experience of previous schemes, a farmer's decision to withdraw is often due to a change in circumstances between the time the application was submitted and its approval. The decision to withdraw is also influenced by other options becoming available to the farmer, such as participation in other schemes and alternative land use options. Many withdrawals are also the result of retirement and illness. No evidence has been provided by farmers who have withdrawn from ACRES in the islands listed that their decision was based on the unsuitability of the scheme to the areas farmed.