ACRES course
€156 per course
Neither payment needs a separate application. You get it by turning up and completing the course or the meetings.
Quick facts
- ACRES course
- €156 per course
- ACRES courses paid
- 1 compulsory and 1 voluntary
- Tranche 2 voluntary course
- Up to 31 December 2026
- KT payment
- €750 a year
- KT meetings
- Eight group meetings and a one-to-one each year
- Paid via
- Your trainer or KT facilitator
The ACRES training payment
"The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) requires all ACRES participants to attend a single compulsory ACRES Training Course in the first year of their participation in ACRES." Your ACRES payment cannot issue until you have done it.
"The amount payable to an ACRES participant who satisfactorily attends an ACRES Training course is €156." You can also do one voluntary course in your third year, and it pays the same.
The course lasts 6 hours in two sessions, and you must attend both on the same day. A joint, partnership or company contract gets only one payment.
The 2026 deadline for Tranche 2
If you joined ACRES from 1 January 2024 (Tranche 2), 2026 is your third year. A 2026 circular says you "may attend such a course up to and including 31 December 2026."
The Knowledge Transfer payment
"For each year of the Knowledge Transfer Programme each Participant will receive re-imbursement to the amount of €750 where all the requirements of the Programme have been met." The current programme runs for three years, 2024 to 2026.
Each year you must attend eight group meetings and one one-to-one with your facilitator. Missing meetings cuts the payment: 7 meetings loses €70. You also need a BISS application each year.
The year 3 one-to-one form must be submitted by 7 January 2027.
How to get paid
For ACRES, book a course with an approved trainer
Courses are run by ACRES Trainers approved by the Department, listed on the ATS page.
Attend both sessions in person on one day
Training must be attended by the ACRES participant themselves, morning and afternoon.
Get the €156 from your trainer
The Department pays the trainer, who must pass it on and confirm within 30 calendar days.
For KT, attend every meeting and the one-to-one
Your facilitator is paid by the Department and then reimburses you.
Things to watch
You cannot join Knowledge Transfer now. Facilitators had to nominate group members by 17 November 2023, and you can only be in one group for the whole programme.
If your trainer or facilitator has not paid you, contact the ATS Section or the KT Section at the Department.
Phone, forms and how long it takes
- ATS Section (ACRES Training Scheme)
- +353 (0) 53 916 3425
- Knowledge Transfer Programme
- +353 (0) 57 867 44 22
- ATS Section (ACRES Training Scheme)
- acrestraining@agriculture.gov.ie
- Knowledge Transfer Programme
- ktinformation@agriculture.gov.ie
From the official pages (gov.ie), re-checked every night. Numbers and times can change, so check the official page before you send anything.
Common questions
How much is the ACRES training course payment?
€156 for each course you satisfactorily attend. You are paid for one compulsory and one voluntary course over the life of the scheme.
Is there an ACRES training course in 2026?
Yes for Tranche 2. Farmers who joined ACRES from 1 January 2024 can do their voluntary course up to and including 31 December 2026.
How much is the Knowledge Transfer payment?
€750 for each year you meet all the programme requirements, paid through your KT facilitator.
Can I still join a Knowledge Transfer group?
No. The 2024 to 2026 groups were set up in 2023 and members cannot move between groups.
- gov.ie (DAFM): ACRES Training Scheme (ATS)
- assets.gov.ie: Acres training scheme terms and conditions revised september 2024.pdf
- assets.gov.ie: Ats_circular_no_1 2026_ _provision_of_voluntary_courses_to_acres_tranche_2_participants.pdf
- www.gov.ie: 63087 knowledge transfer programme 2024 2026
- assets.gov.ie: 1983b99c 60b1 4835 8312 dcda0465702f.pdf