Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
104. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in Cork currently participating in the eco scheme and ACRES; the total value of payments issued to date in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34697/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Eco-scheme and the Agriculture Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) are both measures approved in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027.
The purpose of the Eco-Scheme, which was introduced for the first time in 2023, is to reward farmers for undertaking actions beneficial to climate, biodiversity, water quality and the environment. As of May 2026, a total of €306 million has been paid to 118,000 farmers who applied for Eco-Scheme in 2025, of which a total of €35,630,703 has been paid to 12,187 farmers from Cork. The annual breakdown of Eco-Scheme applications and payments for Cork based farmers is provided below.
|
CORK |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Number of Participants |
12,476 |
12,592 |
12,187 |
|
Total Payments (Gross) € |
36,317,782 |
36,063,821 |
35,630,703 |
The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, or ACRES, is a national multi-annual agri-environmental climate measure. 53,324 farmers are currently participating in the Scheme, with a total of €783.8 million paid, in core scheme payments, to ACRES participants to date. A further €7.4 million has been paid to farmers in the ACRES Co-operation approach for the implementation of approved non-productive investments under the Scheme.
There are 4,104 farmers in Co. Cork currently participating in ACRES, with a total of €19,467,317.47 paid to date in respect of their participation in the Scheme in 2025. The amounts paid to ACRES participants in Co. Cork in respect of the 2023 and 2024 Scheme years are currently being compiled by my Department, the total amount paid to ACRES participants in Co. Cork since the commencement of the Scheme will be sent directly to the Deputy when available.
A further €644,782.53 has been paid to date to farmers in Cork who are participating in the ACRES Co-operation approach in respect of their implementation of approved non-productive investments. Non-productive investments are voluntary complementary environmental actions which an ACRES Co-operation participant may avail of to enhance the environmental quality of their lands which in turn may increase their results based payment for those lands.
