McConalogue announces opening of application window for ACRES Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) applications
- Published on: 18 September 2024
- Last updated on: 15 April 2025
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., today announced that applications may now be submitted on behalf of participants in the Co-operation approach of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) for Non-Productive Investments (NPIs).
Making the announcement, the Minister said:
“With this second NPI application window opening today, I encourage farmers in the ACRES Co-operation approach to avail of the funding available to them through NPIs. These investments are an integral element of ACRES that support farmers to take specific measures to enhance environmental outcomes on their holdings and thereby increase their payments under the scheme.”
The deadline for the submission of NPI applications this year will be 4.30pm on Thursday, 31st October 2024. As with the first Tranche of NPI applications in 2023, this will be followed by the necessary screening of the applications by the ACRES Co-operation Project Teams.
Regarding the NPI application window last November/December, all applications have been through the screening process, with some additional validations now required. As outlined in the recent update, the system to support the submission of claims and the processing of payments in respect of these approved investments will follow as early as possible in 2025.
Minister McConalogue said:
“My Department is expediting decision letters for farmers that applied in the first window, and these are scheduled to issue by the end of the year.”
Applications, in the form of NPI Annual Work plans, are prepared and submitted by ACRES advisors on behalf of their clients who are ACRES Co-operation participants.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Applications in the Co-operation approach of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) for Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) opened on 17 September 2024 and the deadline for submission of NPI applications this year will be 4.30pm on Thursday, 31st October 2024.
The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the agri-environment climate measure under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027.
The Scheme is jointly funded by the European Union and the national exchequer.
There are two approaches within the Scheme:
1. ACRES General, available nationally (outside of the high priority geographical area as defined for the ACRES Co-operation approach below), which offers a range of measures (both prescription and result-based); and
2. ACRES Co-operation, available to farmers in defined high priority geographical areas. Map in Annex 1 of the ACRES Terms and Conditions for both Tranches shows the 8 ACRES Co-operation zones, with an ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) Team in place in each zone to assist the participants.
Non-Productive Investments in ACRES Co-operation approach
Participants in the ACRES Co-operation approach have the opportunity to apply for tailored Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) and Landscape Actions. A list of NPIs has been developed by the ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) teams in conjunction with the Department to assist with the delivery of environmental outputs/improvement at local level.
ACRES Co-operation participants will be able to apply for these investments annually.
A list of over 40 Non-Productive Investments, grouped into 3 categories (namely
o Section 1 NPI Habitat and Wildlife Support
o Section 2 NPI Infrastructure
o Section 3 NPI Scrub/Track (Burren/Aran CP Zone only)) was developed in conjunction with the ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) Teams.
A specific Appropriate Assessment (AA) on this element of ACRES has been undertaken and completed.
Applications for ACRES Co-operation NPIs are submitted by ACRES Advisors on behalf of their clients in the ACRES Co-operation approach.
The applications are submitted in the form of an NPI - Annual Works Plan (‘AWP’) through the Department’s Generic Land Management (GLAM) System.
The applications are then referred to the relevant CP Teams for screening. The screening process is a legal requirement so has to be completed before approvals may issue.
Participants may not commence any investment until such time as they have received approval.
The NPI category list and Specifications are published on the Department’s website at gov - Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) (www.gov.ie) which also has further information about where the relevant investments may be located, the amount of funding available and the associated payment rates.
An Information Sheet on NPIs is also available on the Department’s website at gov - Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) (www.gov.ie)