There are currently more than 10,000 farmers still waiting on an Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) payment the Dáil heard today (Wednesday, March 5).

In response to a question raised by the Fine Gael TD for Laois, William Aird, on ACRES, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, told him that "we are making progress".

Deputy Aird had highlighted that specifically in Co. Laois "172 people, or 29% of the applicants in County Laois, have not yet been paid".

"All my life, I have been in discussions with the Department of Agriculture to the effect that no matter what in an application has to be referred back to the person, a minimum of 85% of the money owed to the farmers should be paid out, with 15% held back," Deputy Aird told the minister.

In response Minister Heydon emphasised that he believes that farmers should "receive adequate financial support" for assisting Ireland to achieve its climate targets.

"Farmers cannot go green if they are in the red," he stated in the Dáil.

Minister Heydon added: "On the point about ACRES, we are making progress.

"I am determined that we will improve communication, clear the backlog as quickly as possible and provide long-term solutions that are not just a quick fix for this year but will mean we will not face these problems again next year."

The minister also told the Dáil last month that the "overarching objective" was to have "all outstanding payments in respect of farmers’ participation in ACRES in 2023 and 2024 made by the end of June".

At the time Minister Heydon said that ongoing payment runs, were "taking place on a fortnightly basis for all cases that have passed the required validation checks".

According to the minister this is "evidence that this work is being prioritised, and that issues are being resolved as quickly as possible".