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]

The 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.

PQ 57178.26.