A Kerry TD has supported efforts to highlight the delays that farmers are facing for a grant to help address biodiversity decline on farms.
Some farmers have been waiting up to two years for the ACRES grant, which focuses on planting new hedgerows, native trees, and protecting waterways.
Deputy Danny Healy Rae says that many of the 9,300 farmers waiting on payments are "cash-strapped".
The matter was also raised by Deputy Michael Collins in the Dáil yesterday.
He has called on the government to pay at least 70 to 80% of what the farmers are entitled to keep them going.
In response, the Taoiseach Micháel Martin stated that the expansion of the programme to accommodate everyone has delayed payments.
He said that he will speak to the Minister of Agriculture to expedite the issue and resolve the issue of payment.
