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]

The 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: