Sinn Féin spokesperson for Agriculture and Rural Development, Martin Kenny TD, has called on the Minister for Agriculture to suspend the clawback of monies in the ACRES scheme. 

His calls come as farmers were contacted with requests for a repayment of the interim ACRES payment, despite many farmers still being without information on their scoring under the scheme or information on approval for Non-Productive Investments (NPVs).

Speaking today, Teachta Kenny said:

“Farmers have been in contact with me after a number of them received letters from the department requesting repayment from the interim payment they received in February 2024.

“This money which was received in February was obviously very welcome considering the extremely long harsh winter.

“The ACRES scheme opened for applicants in October 2022 and farmers had their land scored in the summer of 2023. 

“Many farmers applied for Non-Productive Investments (NPVs) in December 2023. We are now in the summer of 2024 and farmers still haven’t received information on their scheme scores, or a decision on approval for their NPVs.

“This scheme appears to be very complicated – so much so that the department themselves are clearly unable to administer it.

“The Minister needs to get a handle on this sooner rather than later.

“While he attempts to do this, he must suspend any clawbacks until farmers have all the information in relation to their scheme – including their score and whether they have received approval for NPVs.

“This scheme is results-based, and the department needs to provide results to farmers so they know how they can improve their score as the scheme progresses. 

“These ongoing delays are causing confusion and farmers are losing confidence in the scheme.”