The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is currently accepting applications for approved advisors for the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES).

ACRES is the agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023-2027.

The department said there are currently just under 54,000 farmers participating in the scheme, which aims to address a range of environmental, climate, biodiversity and water quality issues.

ACRES

Although the scheme is closed for applications from farmers, DAFM said that approved ACRES advisors will continue to support participants throughout their contract term.

This will include the assessment and scoring of the lands for the making of results-based payments under the scheme.

Advisors prepare and submit applications for Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) on behalf of farmers in the ACRES Co-operation approach.

They also work with ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) Teams to support farmers selecting Landscape Actions.

An approved ACRES advisor must be registered by the department as a Farm Advisory System (FAS) advisor and have completed all relevant training.

DAFM

The department said anyone who is interested in applying to become an approved ACRES advisor should submit an application form, available on the DAFM website, by 5:30p.m on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

ACRES advisor training will be provided by the department in The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The department noted that training will be provided on the previous day as part of the application process to be approved as a FAS advisor for those who require it.