More than 1,800 farmers are currently waiting to receive a boost under the European Agriculture for Water Innovation Partnership (EIP).
Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Haydon He confirmed this figure in response to a parliamentary question from independent Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae.
The Farming for Water Program (EIP) is delivered by an operational group led by LAWPRO (Local Authorities Water Programme) – now called the River Basin Management Service.
The group includes Teagasc, Dairy Industry Ireland and other stakeholders, such as Bord Bia.
Farming for water
The Farming for Water EIP is available in priority watersheds across the country where water quality does not meet targets.
The project focuses specifically on reducing the loss of phosphorus, nitrogen, sediments and pesticides in agricultural land water.
Funding is provided for measures that go beyond regulatory requirements such as sediment traps, riparian zones and catch crops.
Minister Haydon said 5,499 EIP applications had been submitted covering the period 2024-26, of which 5,461 had been approved.
“The number of verified applicants who have received at least one payment under this EIP is 4,362.
“1,823 applicants are currently waiting for payment. Once all required checks are completed, payments will be issued to these applicants,” he said.
Minister Haydon noted that application approvals, verification of measures taken, processing and approval of individual farmer payments for the Farming for Water Program (EIP) are carried out by LAWPRO management staff and watershed scientists.
While payment checks are made by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
The five-year budget for the Farming for Water project is €60 million, of which €50 million comes from the DAFM for farmer payments and €10 million from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to manage the project.
Speaking at a recent EPA water conference, Myriad Witty, head of the Farming for Water project, said that so far, 34,000 approved water quality measures are “being implemented or will be implemented” by participants.
“We have a lot of work to do, but we have achieved a lot so far,” Whitty added.
