Over 23 million in Eco-Scheme advance payments for Cork farmers

10,654 farmers in Cork have begun receiving advance payments worth over 2,000 under the 2026 Eco-Scheme, Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea has said.

Deputy said the announcement by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon that advance payments worth €203.105 million to 106,913 farmers nationwide have commenced is a welcome boost.

The advance payments are being made at a rate of 75%, which is 5% higher than in recent years. The Minister has also maintained the Eco-Scheme payment rate at €66 per eligible hectare, the same as in 2025. Almost 92% of all eligible applicants have received an advance payment.

Deputy O’ Shea said the payments will be a boost for farm families in Cork.

“This is real money going into the pockets of farmers in Cork at an important time of year. These payments reward farmers for the work they do for climate, water quality and biodiversity,” Deputy O’Shea said.

Payments will be visible in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days. The Department will continue to process all remaining cases as they meet scheme criteria.

The Minister has also confirmed that the BISS and CRISS advance payment date has moved from today to Tuesday 27 October 2026 due to industrial action. He said his Department remains committed to issuing all scheme payments as efficiently as possible.

Deputy O’Shea urged farmers with outstanding requests from the Department to respond without delay. Farmers who applied for Agricultural Practice 3 and/or Agricultural Practice 5 should also upload their closing stocks to the National Fertiliser Database so that payments can issue as soon as possible.

“If you have been asked for documentation, send it in now so there is no delay in your payment. Anyone with a query can contact the Direct Payments Helpdesk on 057 8674422 or go online to www.MyAgfood.ie,” Deputy O’Shea said.