Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1272.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers issued with a payment in respect of ACRES in the amount of €5,000 who now find that the final amount payable was less than €5,000 and now have to make a repayment to the department; the number that have agreed to make the direct payment to the department; the number that have agreed to have it offset against a future ACRES payment or how many have agreed to have the overpayment offset against the next ANC payment due in September; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35075/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Advance payments in respect of participation in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) in 2023 commenced in December 2023. By the end of February 2024, 19,719 farmers had been paid a total payment value of €88.4m. However, when it became apparent that additional time would be required to pay the remaining participants, I arranged for nationally funded interim payments to be made to those participants who had not received their advance payment. Payments of €4,000 were made to General participants and €5,000 to Co-Operation participants. It should be noted that payments totalling just under €208 million issued to 44,780 ACRES participants by early March 2024.

My Department commenced balancing payments on the 19th of June. To date, payments have been finalised for 36,410 farmers. Further pay runs will follow in mid-September and at the end of September. At the time of issuing interim payments, farmers were notified that their finalised 2023 payment would be netted against the interim payment.

To date, of the interim payments finalised, 6,975 herds have been identified as having an overpayment and those with an overpayment greater than €100 have been notified. This figure is likely to change as further balancing payment calculations are finalised.

Farmers have been advised of repayment options. To date, €695,000 of overpayments have been discharged in full by 372 herds, while 860 ACRES participants have requested that the overpayment be deducted from their next ACRES payment. I do not hold figures on the number that have agreed to offset the payment against the next ANC payment.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1273.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a directors review of an appeal by farmers in Co. Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35140/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.

I have been informed, however, that a request to the Director of the Appeals Office seeking a review of an Appeals Officer’s decision was received from the person named on 24th May 2024. Observations were requested from my Department on 4th June 2024 and these were submitted to the Appeals Office on 2nd July 2024.

This material is currently being considered and I have been informed that this review will be finalised by the Director as soon as is possible.