Written Answers Nos. 2561-2580
2561. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether the stated grand total of 5,258 in the 2022 row of table four of the Wildlife Unit End of Year Report for 2025 is correct (details supplied); and whether his Department will publish corrected historical data. [56539/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Wildlife Report compiled by my Department has stated that there was 7,625 badger captures in the vaccine area in 2025. This is the correct figure. The figure of 8,123 is the number of badger captures that were recorded in vaccine areas for 2024. Table 4 in the report states the correct figures of badger captures for 2024 and 2025.
For the purposes of clarity the figure for 2024 will be removed from the body of the text.
2562. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify the difference between the figure of 61,895 confirmed badger setts and the figure of more than 65,000 setts stated on page three of the Wildlife Unit End of Year Report for 2025; and to provide the definitions and exact number applicable to each category. [56540/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Wildlife Report compiled by my Department has stated that there was 7,625 badger captures in the vaccine area in 2025. This is the correct figure. The figure of 8,123 is the number of badger captures that were recorded in vaccine areas for 2024. Table 4 in the report states the correct figures of badger captures for 2024 and 2025.
For the purposes of clarity the figure for 2024 will be removed from the body of the text.
2563. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide the calculation, methodology and assumptions supporting the statement that approximately 65,000 recorded badger setts represent between 7,000 and 10,000 badger social groups, given that the report states that each social group typically uses four to six setts. [56541/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Wildlife Report compiled by my Department has stated that there was 7,625 badger captures in the vaccine area in 2025. This is the correct figure. The figure of 8,123 is the number of badger captures that were recorded in vaccine areas for 2024. Table 4 in the report states the correct figures of badger captures for 2024 and 2025.
For the purposes of clarity the figure for 2024 will be removed from the body of the text.
2564. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify whether the figure of 39% described as new captures in vaccination areas in 2025 refers only to newly vaccinated animals or to all previously unrecorded badgers, including animals subsequently removed or euthanised; and to provide the number of unique individual badgers, as distinct from capture events, represented by the reported total of 7,625. [56542/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe section of the report compiled by my Department where this figure is presented, is in the section which discusses vaccination only. The figure of 39% relates only to newly vaccinated badgers as a percentage of the over all badger capture events in the vaccine area in 2025. The figure of 7,625 in the 2025 report refers to all the badgers that were captured during that year. While each badger caught represents an individual capture event. Some of these badgers may have been previously captured. As stated in the report, 1540 of those badgers were badgers that had been vaccinated previously, and a further 498 badgers were what is classified as a recapture. A recapture is a badger that is captured again within 30 days of being vaccinated.
2565. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the numerical, scientific and editorial verification carried out before the Wildlife Unit End of Year Report for 2025 that was approved for publication; whether further errors have since been identified; and whether his Department will publish an amended report clearly identifying all corrections. [56543/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Wildlife Report compiled by my Department has stated that there was 7,625 badger captures in the vaccine area in 2025. This is the correct figure. The figure of 8,123 is the number of badger captures that were recorded in vaccine areas for 2024. Table 4 in the report states the correct figures of badger captures for 2024 and 2025.
For the purposes of clarity the figure for 2024 will be removed from the body of the text.
2566. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the assessments his Department has carried out on availability of fodder ahead of the winter season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56561/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department reviews grass growth and fodder availability on an ongoing basis.
Up to the week ending the 21st of July cumulative grass growth for the year-to-date was over 550kg ahead of the five year average, enabling farmers to build up fodder stocks for the winter ahead. However reduced soil moisture availability and limited rainfall have led to a decline in grass growth. Growth rates in the South East began to decline over three weeks ago, and in the past week grass growth in the North and Northwest has also dropped below average.
Grass growth over the coming weeks will depend on localised rainfall and is expected to vary significantly across the country. Current forecasts indicate that growth rates next week will range from 55-65 Kg DM/ha/day in the North West, to as low as 20 Kg DM/ha/day in the South East.
Teagasc will commence its annual fodder survey in early August. As in previous years, the survey will assess fodder stocks ahead of the winter and will provide farmers and wider industry with an overview of the national and regional fodder situation. It is intended the results of this survey will be published mid August.
2567. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of vacant WTE staff, by job title in each regional veterinary office, by location, in tabular form. [56580/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its priority business needs. To achieve this, workforce planning is utilised in identifying and addressing the needs for all our locations.
The table below outlines the WTE staff vacancies, by job title, that are currently based at Regional Veterinary Offices as of 22/07/2026
|
Regional Veterinary Office |
Grade Description |
WTE Vacancy |
|
|
|
|
|
Cavan Regional Office |
|
|
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
2 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Service Officer |
1 |
|
Clonakilty Regional Office |
|
|
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
2 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Cork Regional Office |
|
|
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
|
Assistant Agricultural Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Laboratory Analyst |
1 |
|
Donegal Regional Office - Raphoe |
|
|
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Drumshambo Regional Office |
|
|
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
Galway Regional Office |
|
|
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
2 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Engineer G1 |
1 |
|
Kerry Regional Office |
|
|
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
3 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Assistant Agricultural Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Engineer G3 |
1 |
|
Limerick Regional Office |
|
|
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
5 |
|
|
Assistant Agricultural Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Senior Laboratory Analyst |
1 |
|
|
Laboratory Attendant |
1 |
|
|
Service Officer |
1 |
|
Mayo Regional Office |
|
|
|
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
Meath Regional Office |
|
|
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Naas Regional Office |
|
|
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
2 |
|
Offaly Regional Office |
|
|
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
Roscommon Regional Office |
|
|
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
Tipperary Regional Office |
|
|
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
Waterford Regional Office |
|
|
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
4 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
Wexford Regional Office- Enniscorthy |
|
|
|
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
1 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
|
57 |
2568. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the implementation of the Deer Management Strategy Group's Report from 2023 [56595/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, along with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage established the Irish Deer Management Strategy group (IDMSG) to develop a strategy for the sustainable management of deer in Ireland. The Group comprised representatives from my Department, National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Coillte. A report was published into “Developing a Sustainable Deer Management Strategy for Ireland” in December 2023.
The report listed 16 Actions, 8 of which are recommended in the short term and 8 of which are recommended in the medium term. These recommended actions address a wide range of issues from hunter training and forest design to land use management and the venison market. The report concluded that a formal structure was required to manage deer in Ireland, which involved the appointment of a Programme Manager to implement the recommendations of the report and the establishment of local deer management units in known hotspot areas.
My Department is committed to progressing the implementation of the actions identified by the Irish Deer Management Strategy Group in this report. The Programme Manager, who has been appointed, will work closely with the IDMSG, DAFM and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in prioritising and implementation of the short term recommendations identified in the report.
The locations of the deer management units (DMUs) have been finalised. The locations of the DMUs is in response to what might be referred to as deer hotspots. These DMUs aim to give the best geographic coverage in order to reduce the density of deer in these areas.
The Programme Manager, through the local deer management units, will be liaising with licensed hunters and landowners in relation to the management of deer populations within the deer management units. Deer continue to be culled by appropriate licensed hunters within the hunting season and with the use of Section 42 licenses issued by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) outside the hunting season.
2569. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments to successful applicants under the fuel income support scheme will be processed; the date by which these payments will begin to be received by successful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56671/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has introduced the Fuel Income Support Scheme as a targeted income support to assist farmers and agricultural/forestry contractors facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs.
Payments to farmers and agricultural/forestry contractors commenced on July 22nd and oayments will continue to issue as cases are cleared in the coming days and weeks. Payment is calculated based on the assumed usage in the 5 months from March to July 2026, multiplied by 20 cents. This is calculated using the full marked gas oil usage figure for 2025 supplied at application time.
In practical terms this means that a farmer/contractor who used 12,000 litres in 2025 is assumed to use 5,000 litres ( 12,000 divided by 12, multiplied 5) in the March to July period in 2026 and will be paid €1,000 (5,000 litres multiplied by 20 cents ) under this scheme.
2570. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his position on the introduction of a cap on the number of breeding females permitted within a dog breeding establishment; and if the public consultation responses from the Dog Control Stakeholder group recommended the introduction of the cap. [56672/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has lead policy responsibility within government for animal welfare and takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously.
I have not included a hard legislative cap on the total number of breeding females at a dog breeding establishment in the present draft Heads of Bill. Legal advice indicates that there are difficulties with such an approach. There are also practical issues that would have to be explored further. An establishment can in principle increase in size and staffing to accommodate more animals without necessarily affecting welfare outcomes. My Department will consider further.
In the meantime, the Bill addresses concerns about excessive numbers through other means. The mandatory staffing ratio of one staff per 20 female breeding dogs creates an indirect but real constraint on establishment size. The strengthened improvement notice regime will explicitly empower authorised persons to require a reduction in the number of dogs on premises where welfare concerns arise.
Local authorities also retain the ability to set conditions on the number of breeding females as part of the registration process, and this avenue remains open to them, particularly in respect of new applications.
2571. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a cross-departmental approach to support the growth of Ireland’s industrial hemp sector, addressing barriers in cultivation, licensing, processing capacity and market development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56761/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department carried out a consultative process in 2021 to examine the commercial viability of growing hemp for fibre use only. The report on this consultation was published in December 2022 (Link to website: gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/report-on-consultation-on-the-potential-for-growing-fibre-crops-and-whether-these-crops-have-a-viable-market/)
As part of the consultation, stakeholders were invited to consider a number of questions including existing markets, the strengths and weaknesses of fibre crops and the scaleability of the Irish fibre crop/hemp industry, taking into account the market size and value, industry processing capacity and economic returns along the supply chain. Two submissions were received as part of that consultation.
The main finding of the report was that the growing of fibre crops such as hemp for the purposes of fibre production only is not currently viable in Ireland. However, hemp can be successfully grown in Ireland and offers opportunities for diversification and crop rotation while delivering environmental benefits. Potential markets also exist for hemp fibre with its use in the construction industry offering the most significant opportunity.
The scaling up of a crop fibre industry would be dependent on numerous factors including the development of stable markets, significant capital investment to increase processing capacity and collaboration with all stakeholders along the supply chain, all of which must be industry led.
The report noted that while the outcome of the consultation did not support the viability of fibre crops such as hemp in Ireland, it is a matter for the industry to address and bring forward a proposal containing viable options for consideration. I would welcome any such proposal.
Hemp is included as an eligible crop under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme. Current legislation in Ireland does not allow for the growing of hemp unless a specific license has been granted by the Health Products Regulatory Authority which operates under the auspices of the Department of Health.
A proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 on the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets in the EU was published in July 2025. The proposal includes the provision for harmonized EU rules covering all parts of the hemp plant with a maximum legal THC limit of 0.3%. Discussions on this proposal are continuing under the Irish Presidency.
2572. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the engagement his Department has had with the animal feed industry regarding increasing the use of Irish-grown grain in in animal feedstuffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56762/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra2573. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he has considered measures to increase the minimum inclusion of Irish-grown grain in animal feedstuffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56763/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2572 and 2573 together.
My Department is the central Competent Authority responsible for the enforcement of EU legislation concerning animal feed. A prerequisite for safe food is safe animal feed and the focus of my Department’s controls is to ensure that feedingstuffs do not pose a risk to animal or public health, meet the prescribed minimum standards, are accurately labelled and fully traceable.
Accordingly, the sourcing and procurement of feed and feed materials is a matter for Feed Business Operators and the resulting feedingstuff complies with EU and Irish feed legislation in terms of, inter alia, its safety and nutritional composition.
Through the implementation of the recommendations of the Food Vision Tillage Group Report, there has been considerable work done aimed at achieving greater recognition of the sustainability of Irish grain, such as the development of a tillage module for AgNav to allow growers the opportunity to showcase the low-carbon footprint of Irish grain and the ongoing work in developing a Pilot Sustainability Assurance Scheme for tillage aligned with Origin Green. Together these initiatives will allow growers to provide tangible sustainability outputs that demonstrate the low-carbon credentials of Irish grain, strengthening market differentiation and supporting access to premium markets.
My Department remains committed to working closely with the tillage sector to implement the recommendations of the Food Vision Tillage Group Report, with a view to ensuring the sector's long-term sustainability in the years ahead.
2574. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has undertaken a review of the adequacy of maternity leave supports available to self-employed female farmers; whether additional measures are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56764/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Social Protection is responsible for policy and operational delivery of social protection, including maternity benefit in Ireland. Maternity Benefit is a payment for all eligible employed and self-employed women who are on maternity leave from work and meet the relevant social insurance (PRSI) contribution criteria. The payment structure is uniform across the country, is payable to any woman who meets the standard insurance criteria and does not vary by employment sector or industry.
My Department has engaged with the Department of Social Protection on issues relating to women in agriculture, focusing on operational barriers, information sharing and awareness raising, rather than seeking to create sector-specific benefits.
In this regard, my Department, in association with the Department of Social Protection, delivered a session on Social Protection benefits and supports as part of its 2025 Winter Webinar series last December. The session included information on PRSI contribution criteria and provided an overview of the associated benefits available. The presentations from this session are available on my Department's website, on the "Women in Agriculture" page.
Enquires regarding the adequacy of existing supports or consideration of additional measures should be directed to the Minister for Social Protection.
2575. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of CAP, ACRES and other farm support payments made to farmers in County Kerry in each of the years 2020 to date in 2026; and the breakdown of any payments that are outstanding. [56839/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the required time. My Department will revert with a response as soon as the information is available.
2576. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farms in County Kerry awaiting inspection outcomes or payment under ACRES; and the average processing time, in tabular form. [56840/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, or ACRES, is the flagship environmental scheme provided under the 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan, with €1.5 billion in Exchequer and EU funding allocated over the course of the scheme. Over €787m as issued in core payments since the commencement of the scheme.
Over 99% of all participants in ACRES are fully paid in respect of their participation in the Scheme in respect of 2023 and 2024, while over 97% of the participants are now also fully paid up to date in respect of 2025. Payments have not issued in respect of some of the remaining contracts as the legalities following death of the contract holder have not been finalised to date, while delays in other cases may be due to non-receipt of documentation that is required for the calculation of the payment.
In relation to County Kerry, the specific data requested is as follows:
|
Total ACRES Full Inspections Co. Kerry 2025 |
138 |
|
Outstanding inspections |
10 |
|
Percentage outstanding |
7% |
|
Average processing time of inspection |
6 Months |
|
Total awaiting ACRES payments Co. Kerry |
129 |
|
Outstanding payments for 2024 |
12 |
|
Outstanding payments for 2025 (excluding 2024 outstanding payments) |
117 |
Furthermore, I can confirm that in all ACRES inspections, outcomes of the inspection would be communicated to the beneficiary on the day of inspection before the inspector leaves the holding. This is followed by an Interim Control Report letter being issued to the beneficiary outlining preliminary notifications of findings in the proceeding days of the inspection. It is important to note that an inspection does not impact the delivery of advance payments.
It is not possible to provide the average processing time for payments. Regular payment runs will continue over the coming weeks to ensure that outstanding payments are issued to farmers at the earliest possible date.
2577. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of publicly owned buildings that were vacant on the latest date available, broken down by purpose and/or last previous use; the length of time each property has been vacant; the reason for vacancy in each case; the amount spent to maintain the property since it was first left vacant in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56844/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated by my Department and a response will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
2578. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers approved under ACRES, broken down by county; the number participating under the ACRES general and ACRES co-operation respectively; the total value of payments issued to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57176/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has paid a total of over €787.43 million to date, in core scheme payments, to farmers in ACRES. A further sum of over €9 million has been paid to farmers in the ACRES Co-operation approach for the implementation of approved non-productive investments under the Scheme. That represents an investment of almost €796.5 million in the form of payments to farmers who, through their participation in ACRES are contributing to a range of environmental, biodiversity, climate and water quality objectives.
The number of active farmers participating in ACRES is 53,157 as of 22 July 2026. This represents 32,959 ACRES general applicants and 20,198 ACRES Co-operation applicants.
The breakdown of current ACRES participants by county is as follows:
|
County |
Count of County |
|
Carlow |
531 |
|
Cavan |
1982 |
|
Clare |
3449 |
|
Cork |
4085 |
|
Donegal |
5466 |
|
Dublin |
80 |
|
Galway |
6636 |
|
Kerry |
3914 |
|
Kildare |
353 |
|
Kilkenny |
742 |
|
Laois |
582 |
|
Leitrim |
2374 |
|
Limerick |
1671 |
|
Longford |
1437 |
|
Louth |
292 |
|
Mayo |
6731 |
|
Meath |
646 |
|
Monaghan |
935 |
|
Offaly |
842 |
|
Roscommon |
2995 |
|
Sligo |
2104 |
|
Tipperary |
1880 |
|
Waterford |
556 |
|
Westmeath |
1140 |
|
Wexford |
1077 |
|
Wicklow |
657 |
2579. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ACRES participants awaiting balancing or scorecard-related payments; the value of outstanding payments; the counties affected; the expected timeline for issuing all outstanding payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57177/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme is the flagship environmental scheme in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, with €1.5 billion in Exchequer and EU funding committed over the period. My Department has fully paid over 99% of all participants in ACRES in respect of their participation in the Scheme in relation to 2023 and 2024, while over 97% of the participants are now also fully paid up to date in respect of 2025. Payments have not issued in respect of some of the remaining contracts as the legalities following death of the contract holder have not been finalised to date, while delays in other cases may be due to non-receipt of documentation that is required for the calculation of the payment.
Currently there are 1,446 scheme participants awaiting payment. It is not possible to provide a value for outstanding payments as the value of a payment is only confirmed as it is issued.
I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to process valid applications and clear payments to eligible participants as efficiently as possible.
The specific details requested by the Deputy are outlined below:
|
County |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
CARLOW |
|
|
17 |
|
CAVAN |
|
3 |
26 |
|
CLARE |
|
8 |
68 |
|
CORK |
|
27 |
96 |
|
DONEGAL |
|
19 |
155 |
|
DUBLIN |
|
|
2 |
|
GALWAY |
|
35 |
157 |
|
KERRY |
|
12 |
119 |
|
KILDARE |
|
2 |
7 |
|
KILKENNY |
|
1 |
28 |
|
LAOIS |
|
2 |
13 |
|
LEITRIM |
|
4 |
59 |
|
LIMERICK |
|
7 |
37 |
|
LONGFORD |
|
|
26 |
|
LOUTH |
|
|
6 |
|
MAYO |
1 |
9 |
195 |
|
MEATH |
|
|
12 |
|
MONAGHAN |
|
3 |
7 |
|
OFFALY |
|
|
13 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
|
4 |
60 |
|
SLIGO |
|
2 |
51 |
|
TIPPERARY |
|
5 |
50 |
|
WATERFORD |
|
3 |
16 |
|
WESTMEATH |
|
1 |
4 |
|
WEXFORD |
|
5 |
40 |
|
WICKLOW |
|
3 |
26
|
2580. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants to the eco-scheme in each of the years since its introduction; the total paid annually; the average payment made per participant, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57178/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aim of the Eco-Scheme is to reward farmers for undertaking actions beneficial to the biodiversity, climate, the environment and water quality. Approximately 97% of all farmers that submitted a BISS application in the years 2023 - 2025 inclusive chose to apply for the Eco-scheme.
The Eco-Scheme is open to all active farmers and farmers do not need any entitlements to receive a per hectare Eco-Scheme payment. A farmer has to select two agricultural practices to receive an Eco-Scheme payment.
Ring fencing for the Eco-Scheme has been set at 25% of the direct payments ceiling with the annual indicative financial allocation in Ireland estimated at €297 million per annum, amounting to a total indicative financial allocation of approximately €1.485 billion for the period 2023-2027.
The Eco-Scheme payment rate in Ireland in 2025 was €66 per eligible hectare. It was €66.50 in 2024 and €67 per hectare in 2023.
Attached is the payment data requested relating to applicant payments for years 2023, 2024 and 2025. As any further unpaid cases in 2023, 2024 or 2025 are cleared, payment will issue.
In terms of 2026, the number of Eco-scheme applications is similar to previous years and my Department expects to commence advance payments from 16 October 2026.
