Mayo farmers set to receive over €19 million in ANC payments

Over 9,000 farmers in Mayo are set to receive over €19 million of support payments under the ANC scheme.

Deputy Keira Keogh has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Martin Heydon TD of this payment.

Deputy Keogh said: “The Areas of Natural Constraints scheme, or ANC as it’s known, is a support program that provides financial payments to farmers farming in geographically difficult or marginal areas. I am delighted to see the 85% advancement of these payments to farmers issued by the Minister today and that 9,089 farmers in county Mayo will share a total of €19,941,932.

“In Mayo we know that farmers already find it difficult with the challenges posed by the landscape whether it is the mountain terrain or the boggy ground, adding in the harsher weather coming in from the Atlantic, but farmers have adapted and persevered and these payments support those natural habitats that make agricultural production harder and less profitable.”

Deputy Keogh added: “This payment will go towards easing some of the financial challenges faced by the farming families.”

Commenting on the announcement, Minister Heydon said: “I am pleased to announce that advance payments totalling €179 million have issued to over 85,000 farmers under the ANC scheme. The payments are an 85% advance payment with the remaining 15% balance due to commence in early December.”

The Minister also confirmed that his department is on track to facilitate payment of the 75% advance under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), Complementary Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS), and Eco-scheme from October 16.

Welcoming the news, Minister of State Alan Dillon stated: “The ANC scheme is vital for farmers operating in challenging land conditions across Mayo, and this reflects our commitment to ensuring payments reach farmers at the earliest possible opportunity. These supports play a crucial role in sustaining farm incomes and strengthening the wider rural economy in Mayo.”

He confirmed that payments will begin appearing in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days, with the Department continuing to process all remaining eligible cases as a matter of urgency.

Minister Dillon also welcomed progress on other upcoming supports.

“The Department remains on track to issue the 75% advance payments under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), Complementary Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS), and the Eco-scheme from 16 October 2026.”