McConalogue announces re-opening of ACRES Training Scheme

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., today announced that the ACRES Training Scheme (ATS) is now available for the provision of ACRES training courses to farmers approved into the Scheme under Tranche 2. 

Making the announcement, the Minister commented: “The purpose of the ACRES training course is to provide information to farmers about the implementation of ACRES actions and to show how their participation in the Scheme is helping to address environmental, climate and biodiversity challenges. While attendance in their first year of participation in the Scheme is a core mandatory requirement for all participants, feedback from farmers shows that they have found the courses informative and useful. In addition, the practical on-farm elements together with the opportunity to engage directly with fellow participants, helps farmers to learn from each other’s experiences in undertaking certain actions.”

Noting that practically all of the ACRES Tranche 1 participants have attended the training, the Minister added: “ACRES Trainers last year succeeded in providing training to practically all of the farmers who came into Tranche 1 of the Scheme. This is a significant accomplishment and I want to acknowledge their commitment to the scheme.”  

The Department’s ATS System is now open for the creation and provision of courses to all of the Tranche 2 intake as well the small number from Tranche 1 who still need to attend the mandatory course. The ACRES Training courses are arranged and provided by approved trainers, a list of whom is published on the Department’s website. ACRES participants who wish to attend the mandatory training course should contact an approved ACRES trainer to arrange attendance. As the 536 approved ACRES trainers are located throughout the country, there should be opportunities for participants in the Scheme to avail of courses in their vicinity over the period to the end of 2024. 

ENDS

Note to Editors 

The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) requires all participants to attend a single compulsory ACRES Training Course in the first year of their participation in the Scheme. This is to facilitate knowledge transfer and acquisition of information on specific actions, complemented by on-line demonstrations/advice on good environmental practices.

The ACRES Training Scheme (ATS) provides the framework for the provision of these training courses, thereby enabling participants to fulfil this requirement. 

The ACRES Training Scheme is jointly funded by the European Union and the National Exchequer under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.

The Terms and Conditions of the Scheme are available on the Department's website ACRES Training Scheme (ATS) (www.gov.ie)

A full list of approved ACRES Training Advisors can be found on the Department's website at gov - ACRES Training Scheme (ATS) (www.gov.ie)

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