Hill Farming Council Report July 2026

Market Reports

ACRES

• Payments for ACRES across 2023-2025 largely complete. Advance payments for 2026 are expected to commence in November. 
• On ACRES Non-Productive Investments (NPI’s), approximately €6 million was paid to 2,557 participants in respect of 2023 claims. For 2024, approximately €2 million has been paid to 823 farmers to date, with the claims submission deadline remaining open until January 2027. Claims for the 2025 NPI measure will commence shortly, while the application window for the 2026 NPI measures opened in early July. 
• Decision letters have been issued for Landscape Actions (LA) 1 (July–October 2025) and LA 2 (February–May 2026), with the LA 2 process being split to facilitate the timely implementation of time-sensitive actions. The application window for LA 3 is due to open in August 2026. The associated claims and payment systems are currently under development and are expected to be rolled out during Q3 and Q4 of 2026.

Comhairle na Tuaithe

IFA continues to participate in a number of Comhairle subgroups across a range of issues; 

SURS

Work is still continuing to bring the 3 applicant areas on to the Mountain Access Project and an application form has now been received from each of the areas and is being reviewed by DRCDG, with additional information sought from some areas. The first payment in the Upland Recreation Scheme on the MacGillycuddy Reeks has issued to 51 landowners and they will be due the second payment in the coming months. Minster Calleary announced funding to support the maintenance of the path on Croagh Patrick for 2026 in May. This will be jointly funded by DRCDG, Mayo County Council and the Croagh Patrick Stakeholder Group

Responsible Behaviour 

Following on from finalising the CnT position on responsible dog management, Sport Ireland has requested approval from their board for a three-year communications campaign with a minimum commitment of €200,000 per year. The tender plan will be published once approved, with the aim to have a communications plan by Q4 2026. IFA highlighted the need for a communications plan to be in place in the interim. 

National Outdoor Recreation Strategy Mid-Term Review

The National Outdoor Recreation Strategy Mid-Term Review is currently underway to assess progress made in implementing the Strategy and to identify priorities for the remainder of the period. The consultation process has commenced, with a questionnaire circulated to members to gather initial views and feedback. A dedicated roundtable discussion was held at the recent National Outdoor Recreation conference to facilitate stakeholder engagement. In addition, one-to-one meetings with key stakeholders will take place throughout the consultation period, which will remain open until the end of the year.

Walks Scheme

To date, 138 trails have been brought onto the Scheme with 2,768 participants/landowners now signed up.  Work is ongoing to bring on the rest as soon as possible. There are currently 9 trails with Sport Ireland for audit. At a previous CnT meeting, concerns were raised re the need for independent appeals mechanism for farmers on the Walks Scheme. IFA met with farming stakeholders, with the following discussed/agreed by group: 

• Agreed the proposed Walks Scheme Appeals Board structure, with independent and impartial membership and engagement with farm organisations prior to appeals where appropriate.
• Appeals to be heard locally or remotely, with clear timelines for submission and determination.
• Broad agreement on eligible participants, including landowners, leaseholders, commonage shareholders and certain long-term grazing rights holders.
• Appeals Board (or an alternative mechanism) to address delayed or stalled cases and other exceptional circumstances.
• Additional procedures proposed for probate cases and reviews of payment levels.
• A summary note will be circulated to farm organisations for feedback before submission to DRCDG.

Activity since last Council

• Attended Responsible Behaviour Subgroup
• Attended Visitor Management Subgroup
• Attended meeting of Sustainable Uplands Recreation Scheme Subgroup
• Attended quarterly Comhairle na Tuaithe meeting in Athlone 
• Attended National Outdoor Recreation Conference in Cavan
• Attended meeting of the Peatlands Council Online 
• Contributed to IFA’s Pre-Budget Submission 
• Met with CnT farming representatives re Appeals mechanism for farmers on the Walks Scheme
• IFA provided assistance to farmers in Waterford in relation to commonage issues arising from agricultural activity. Legal advice was sought from James Staines to support the assessment and response to these matters. IFA will continue to engage with the affected farmers and relevant stakeholders to ensure that their scheme payments are protected.

Upcoming Issues

• IFA Hill Committee meeting on 10^th September in the Irish Farm Centre
• Next meeting of Comhairle na Tuaithe on 8^th October
• Continue to participate in various Comhairle na Tuaithe subgroups
• Consultation on NORS Review