Saturday, 25 October 2025
A total of 5,849 farmers in Tipperary will benefit from the commencement of advance payments under the 2025 Eco-Scheme, Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy has announced. Deputy Murphy said the move demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to supporting rural Ireland and rewarding sustainable farming practices. “This is a clear demonstration of Fine Gael and the […]
A total of 5,849 farmers in Tipperary will benefit from the commencement of advance payments under the 2025 Eco-Scheme, Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy has announced.
Deputy Murphy said the move demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to supporting rural Ireland and rewarding sustainable farming practices.
“This is a clear demonstration of Fine Gael and the Government’s commitment to rural Ireland. These payments will give financial security to families around the country, as they continue to deliver for the environment and the economy,” he said.
In total, €13,115,849 will be paid to Tipperary farmers under this round of Eco-Scheme payments. Deputy Murphy added that the scheme “is more than just money,” describing it as “a recognition of the role farmers play in protecting the climate and biodiversity.”
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon confirmed that advance payments worth €194.5 million have now commenced for 109,853 farmers nationwide under the Eco-Scheme.
“The aim of Ireland’s Eco-Scheme is to reward farmers for undertaking actions beneficial to the climate, environment, water quality and biodiversity,” Minister Heydon said. “Eco-Scheme payments are a vital support for farmers, and the payment rate in 2025 will be €66 per eligible hectare.”
He added that 93% of all 2025 Eco-Scheme eligible applicants have now been paid, in line with the Department’s commitment under the Farmers’ Charter to pay 90% of eligible applicants during the advance payment period.
“My Department remains committed to ensuring that all scheme payments continue to issue in the most efficient way possible to ensure that these vital supports are delivered to farmers in a timely manner,” the Minister said.
Today’s €194.5 million Eco-Scheme payment follows the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) advance payment of €511 million issued last week to over 110,500 farmers.
Together, advance payments under BISS, CRISS, and the Eco-Scheme now amount to over €705 million in the past week.
Advance payments under the 2025 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme (ANC), which began last month, and the 2025 BISS payments are continuing as more cases are cleared for payment.
The Eco-Scheme is part of the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023–2027, which places environmental performance at the heart of agricultural funding. Each EU member state must design its own “eco-schemes” tailored to local conditions, and Ireland’s version focuses on biodiversity, climate action, and water protection.
By linking farm payments to environmental practices, Ireland is aligning national agricultural supports with the EU Green Deal, which aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This connection ensures that Irish farmers are part of a continent-wide transition toward a more sustainable food system.
Farmers with queries about their Eco-Scheme payments can contact the Department of Agriculture’s Direct Payments Helpdesk at 057 8674422 or submit queries online through www.MyAgfood.ie.
5,849 Tipperary farmers to receive €13.1 million under the 2025 Eco-Scheme.
Nationwide total: €194.5 million to 109,853 farmers.
Payment rate: €66 per eligible hectare.
93% of eligible applicants already paid.
Builds on €511 million in BISS advance payments last week.
These payments highlight the Government’s ongoing support for Irish farmers as they continue to deliver for both the environment and the rural economy.
The challenges faced by rural Ireland go beyond environmental issues. Population decline, fluctuating commodity prices, and the pressures of global competition all influence farming viability. The Eco-Scheme, by reinforcing both income stability and environmental performance, helps create a more resilient foundation for rural economies.
By coupling financial support with sustainability goals, the Government is signaling that environmental stewardship and economic survival can go hand in hand. Over time, this may encourage a new generation of farmers to see climate and biodiversity protection not as obligations, but as integral parts of a modern, forward-looking agricultural sector.
With the rollout of Eco-Scheme payments now well underway, the Department of Agriculture will continue processing remaining applications in the coming weeks. These payments represent one of several key income supports that help farmers maintain viable businesses while meeting Ireland’s environmental and sustainability objectives.
As future agricultural policies continue to evolve, schemes like the Eco-Scheme, BISS, and ANC will remain central to balancing economic security with environmental responsibility. The strong uptake and efficient payment delivery highlight growing momentum among farmers toward adopting more sustainable practices.
The commencement of €13.1 million in Eco-Scheme advance payments to 5,849 Tipperary farmers underscores the Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting the rural economy and environmental stewardship. With over €705 million now paid out nationally across key farm support schemes, Irish farmers are being backed to continue their vital role in protecting biodiversity, improving sustainability, and ensuring a vibrant agricultural sector for the future.
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