Hill Farming Council Report May 2026

Market Report  

ACRES 

• Payments for ACRES across 2023-2025 largely complete, exceeding 99% of all eligible applicants paid.  

• 2025 Balancing payments began issuing in mid-April, with €37m paid to 88% of eligible applicants. Pay runs will continue weekly. Overall ACRES payments since the scheme began in 2023 now exceed €783 million. 

• Decision letters in relation to the third window of NPI applications (August-October 2025) began issuing in late April. €7 million has been paid to 2,929 ACRES farmers to date in respect of the implementation of NPIs approved under the Annual Work Plans for both 2023 and 2024. 

• Screening of Landscape Actions was completed in late January, with 840 approvals issued. A second application window will open in late 2026.  

Comhairle na Tuaithe 

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

Responsible Behaviour  

The Comhairle na Tuaithe position on dogs in the outdoors was launched last month alongside the IFA’s ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign. The event was attended by Comhairle na Tuaithe Chair, Éamon Ó Cuív, and followed over a year of engagement and discussions with Comhairle members to reach an agreed position. It is particularly encouraging that this process has resulted in clear recognition of the need to respect farmers’ wishes and to keep dogs off farmland. 

Walks Scheme 

164 trails have now been approved to join the Walks Scheme. So far 123 trails have been fully brought onto the scheme with 2,679 participants. Work is progressing to get the remaining trails on as soon as possible. IFA is liaising with DRCDG on how best to coordinate and independent appeals process for farmers who have had routes on their lands closed in order to have cases reviewed.  

Sustainable Uplands Recreation Scheme (SURS) 

The SURS sub-group have continued to work with three areas to progress their applications to become part of the MAP (the Comeraghs, Croagh Patrick and Errigal). Application details to be finalised. Representatives from the three applicant areas attended the last subgroup meeting to discuss their progress.  

Minister for Rural & Community Development Dara Calleary announced funding for a two year ‘Helping the Hills’ project that will be delivered by Mountaineering Ireland. The project will develop and deliver several training courses to increase the skill level and capacity to do quality upland path work. 

Activity since last Council 

• Attended Responsible Behaviour Subgroup (online) 

• Attended Visitor Management Subgroup 

• Attended meeting of Sustainable Uplands Recreation Scheme Subgroup 

• Attended quarterly Comhairle na Tuaithe meeting in Offaly  

• Attended public meeting with ACRES farmers in Achill re issues with scheme 

• Follow-up meeting with Achill IFA and DAFM representatives to discuss challenges re current ACRES scheme and proposals for next agri-environmental scheme 

• Engaging with Waterford hill farmers on Knockmealdown Mts re Duke of Devonshire rent increases 

Upcoming Issues 

• Joint meeting of IFA Hill Committee and SAC Project Team on 30^th April 

• Next meeting of Comhairle na Tuaithe on 28^th May in Athlone 

• Continue to participate in various Comhairle na Tuaithe subgroups