Increase in advance payment rates for Kildare farmers announced

The changes come in response to the challenges that farmers are experiencing due to the current prolonged dry weather conditions

By Ciarán Mather Published 21st Aug 2026, 11:30 BST Increase in advance payment rates for Kildare farmers announced | FILE PHOTOGRAPH / PIXABAY The changes come in response to the challenges that farmers are experiencing due to the current prolonged dry weather conditions Sign up to our Kildare Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kildare Live within your account.

An increase in advance payment rates for farmers in County Kildare and beyond has been announced.

Minister for Agriculture , Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD (Fine Gael) said that the increases will be implemented on advance payment rates under the 2026 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), the Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (CRISS) and the ECO Scheme.

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The changes come in response to the ongoing challenges that farmers are experiencing due to the current prolonged dry weather conditions.

It also follows after the Newbridge -based politician revealed earlier this week that farmers affiliated with various farming organisations had been consulted over the impact that the prolonged dry spell is having on farming across Ireland.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD (Fine Gael) | PHOTOGRAPH CREDIT: OIREACHTAS.IE ‘PRESSURES’

Announcing the changes, the Minister said: “I am acutely aware of the pressures that farmers are experiencing, and these were discussed at our meeting with the farm organisations on Tuesday [August 18 last], where we also discussed next steps and possible actions that would help to address the challenges being experienced by farmers.”

Responding to calls from the farm organisations for higher advance payments, the Minister has announced that the rate of advance payments has increased from 70 per cent (pc) to 75pc for BISS, CRISS and ECO, the maximum amount possible under EU regulations.

The Minister said: “Farm payments are a critical element of farmers’ income; the increase in the advance payment rate will assist farmers with cash flow, which is of critical importance, particularly to those farmers who are experiencing higher costs at present.”

He also revealed that he is permitting mowing of lands under six ACRES actions for 2026 from today (August 21, 2026) rather than the normal scheme requirement date of August 31.

Minister Heydon elaborated: “I have decided that participants in ACRES who have grass margin actions or the riparian buffer zone / strip actions or those in ACRES Co-operation approach who have been approved for field margins or riparian margins as non-productive investments (NPIs) may mow those areas from August 21 last, before the normal Scheme specified date of August 31, 2026.

“This will allow for earlier access for farmers to the off-takes from the almost 26,000 hectares of land covered by these ACRES actions, and this should provide some immediate easing of pressure for fodder in certain areas and assist in securing better quality fodder which earlier mowing can provide.”

Moreover, he affirmed that his Department will issue a circular to ACRES advisors and a technical note for farmers to provide guidance on these changes.

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Furthermore, Minister Heydon announced that changes have also been made to the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector.

According to him, these changes will allow investments approved under the 2025 and the 2026 Scheme to submit a request to change their currently approved investment item(s) for investments in irrigation equipment.

Each applicant will be contacted by email advising them how they can amend their application.

Another politician, Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Niall Collins TD (Fianna Fáil), explained: “These changes to the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector will allow for a swift funding response to the current drought conditions.

“It is a stressful time for farmers in regions most impacted by the current prolonged dry spell, so farmers are encouraged to reach out for support, whether that is to their advisor, their farm organisation, or the many other support services.

Lastly, Minister Heydon claimed that he is ‘committed to supporting the sector during this difficult time’.

He said: “The impact of the dry spell is a very challenging situation which I am keeping under close review.

“ I would like to thank Mike Magan for convening the National Fodder and Food Security meeting at my request, which is being held today in Teagasc, Oak Park.”

“The Committee will provide a forum for communicating the latest information on grass production, fodder supply and on crop production on farms as well as ensuring a co-ordinated response, including on advice to farmers in managing the ongoing situation and in ensuring appropriate fodder supplies for the coming winter,” Minister Heydon concluded.