Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has criticised the Department of Agriculture for ongoing delays to ACRES (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme) payments for 2024.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said:
“Nationally, there are 2,961 farmers waiting for their 2024 advance, with 8,315 waiting for any payment at all.
“In my own Wicklow constituency, 62 farmers have yet to receive their advance payment, and 191 are still waiting on any payments. That’s nearly one in three participants left in limbo.
“These payments are vital for farmers who are actively working to improve biodiversity and environmental outcomes on their land. Many have already invested time and money into these measures, and the Department’s failure to deliver payments on time is completely unacceptable.
“Farmers need certainty. If the government wants to encourage participation in schemes like ACRES, it must ensure that payments are made promptly and fairly. Delays like this undermine trust and place unnecessary financial pressure on farming families.
“I am calling on the Minister for Agriculture to urgently address the backlog and ensure that all outstanding payments are processed without further delay.”
June 25, 2025
Note to editors: full county-by-county breakdown of ACRES payments here