Latest news with #ACRES
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘Rural champion' elected to lead Tipperary County Council for coming year
At the Annual General Meeting of Tipperary County Council, Fianna Fáil councillor John Carroll was elected Cathaoirleach of the county council for the coming year, taking over from Fine Gael councillor Declan Burgess. Proposed by councillor Michael Smith and seconded by councillor Sean Ryan, Mr Carroll was described as a champion of rural Ireland. In proposing Cllr Carroll, Michael Smith said that the incoming council chair has plenty of experience which will serve him well in leading the county for the next year. "He has proven to be a rural champion in relation to his involvement in the LCDC (Local Community Development Committee), in the North Tipperary LEADER programme, and while there was so many challenges throughout that time, he was there to the fore as chairperson and he led from the front,' Cllr Smith said. "I have no doubt that with those great leadership skills that he showed in that forum, that he would make an excellent chairperson,' Cllr Smith added. First elected in 1999, Cllr Carroll previously served as Cathaoirleach of North Tipperary County Council in 2006 before north and south Tipperary County Councils were amalgamated in 2014. Speaking to the Irish Independent after his election, Cllr Carroll said that his priorities for the year will be agribusiness, roads funding and the delivery of homes for young people across the county. "The content of council business and meetings has changed considerably [since 2006], there are key challenges today and there's a lot of benefits,' he said. "I was focusing in on the agricultural economy in terms of the climate, the Government can't say one thing and not fund it, we were talking about the ACRES scheme – that's the environmental scheme to improve biodiversity – and they're over a year behind in payments to farmers, that's not a way to win co-operation, and the farmers are really up for it,' Cllr Carroll said. Also among the incoming Cathaoirleach's priorities for the coming year is encouraging Uisce Éireann to develop more water infrastructure across the county to support home building. ADVERTISEMENT "Uisce Éireann providing waste water treatment plants for the towns and villages to sustain a young population that they have housing, so that they don't have to emigrate. We're a large county, when you have a good agricultural and vibrant economy that impacts positively and the same as sustainability of the towns and villages,' he added. Carrick-on-Suir councillor Mark Fitzgerald was elected as Leas-Cathaoirleach for the coming year, having been proposed by Fine Gael colleague Marie Murphy and seconded by outgoing Cathaoirleach Declan Burgess.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
One in three Wicklow farmers still waiting on ACRES payments
ACRES is Ireland's agri-environment climate scheme under Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan. This €1.5 billion flagship agri-environment scheme is a farmer-friendly scheme to help address biodiversity decline while delivering an income support for farm families in Ireland. Deputy Whitmore, the Social Democrats spokesperson on agriculture, said: 'According to the latest figures, 62 farmers in Wicklow have yet to receive their advance payment, and 191 are still waiting on any payments. That's nearly one in three participants left in limbo. 'These payments are vital for farmers who are actively working to improve biodiversity and environmental outcomes on their land. Many have already invested time and money into these measures, and the department's failure to deliver payments on time is completely unacceptable. 'Farmers need certainty. If the government wants to encourage participation in schemes like ACRES, it must ensure that payments are made promptly and fairly. Delays like this undermine trust and place unnecessary financial pressure on farming families. I am calling on the Minister for Agriculture to urgently address the backlog and ensure that all outstanding payments are processed without further delay.' At a meeting of the Select Committee on Agriculture and Food held last week, Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon acknowledged the significant payment delays experienced with ACRES. More than €500 million has been paid out to Irish farmers since 2023 through ACRES, but a 'dark cloud hangs over it because not every farmer was paid', the minister said, though he expected 'considerable progress' to take place over coming weeks to drive the number of outstanding payments down further.
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Teagasc confirms rebounds in farm incomes for all sectors last year
Family farm income (FFI) made substantial recoveries across all sectors in 2024, according to a recent report from Teagasc. The average FFI rose by 87% to just under €36,000 in 2024. Income growth was driven by a combination of improved farm output prices, some easing in input costs and additional support payments under the new CAP (Common Agricultural Policy). The proportion of farms categorised as economically viable was recorded at 42% in 2024, one of the highest results on record. Particularly strong FFI improvements were recorded for dairy, tillage and sheep farms on average. These figures must be interpreted in the context of particularly low income figures in 2023. Dairy farms Dairy farm incomes more than doubled in 2024, rising by 113% to an average of €108,200 despite a poor start to the production season. This income recovery serves as a reminder that the Irish dairy income is highly reliant and sensitive to milk price movements in successive years, which farmers have no control over. The recovery of dairy incomes was driven by improved milk prices and favourable grazing conditions from the middle of the year onwards, which helped boost production later in the year. Input costs, such as feed and fertiliser, eased slightly relative to 2023, as well as overhead costs. Beef farms Cattle farms such as suckler beef production rebounded strongly in 2024, with an average income increase of 93% to €13,500. This is attributed to higher cattle prices and lower production costs. Core support payment remains the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), in addition to the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), and the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS) while ACRES also helped to underpin the income improvement. Other beef enterprises, such as finishing units and store cattle farms, experienced an increase in income of 32% in 2024, raising the average income to over €18,000. This increase is attributed to firmer prices for finishing animals and lower production costs. Support payments also remained an important component of income on these farms. Sheep farms The average income for sheep farms more than doubled, increasing by 115% to just under €28,000 in 2024. The 18% increase in lamb prices was one of the drivers of this increase, as well as a fall in input costs, benefiting sheep farmers in comparison to 2023. Continued support through the Sheep Improvement Scheme, Organic Scheme and ACRES contributed to the overall income improvement in this system. The rise in income observed in 2024 was also associated with the timing of the receipt of some farm payments. Tillage farms Tillage farms saw the average income rising by 101% to €38,700 in 2024, following a year of extremely low income in 2023. This increase was facilitated by a combination of factors. Following particular winter planting conditions, there was a switch to spring crops. These spring crops fared much better than winter crops, and overall yields were slightly better than in 2023. Favourable weather during the summer period also aided grain quality. Grain prices also rose marginally while input costs remained moderate. Lower fertiliser prices particularly benefited the sector; however, land rental costs remained high. Tillage with secondary cattle or sheep enterprise will have benefited from improved returns in the sectors in 2024. The widespread nature of the income recovery highlights how improved output prices, favourable weather, support payments and some easing of costs can support farm viability.
Gulf Today
18-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Sharjah reinforces its position as a regional hub for realty investment
Business Bureau, Gulf Today Preparations are progressing swiftly for the upcoming edition of the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition, 'ACRES 2026' which is set to take place from January 21st to 24th, 2026. The event is attracting significant attention from both government and private sector entities involved in Sharjah's real estate sector. As part of the lead-up to this major event, the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, in collaboration with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Leaders event management company, convened an extensive coordination meeting. The session brought together officials and representatives from key strategic partners to review developmental plans and proposals aimed at enhancing the exhibition's readiness. Enhancing the Experience for Visitors and Exhibitors In this regard, Abdulaziz Rashid Al-Saleh, Director of the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, stated: 'The Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition (ACRES) serves as a strategic platform that reinforces Sharjah's position as a regional hub for real estate investment. It provides an optimal environment for knowledge exchange and the introduction of the latest sector's innovations.' 'Through our current preparations, we are working diligently to elevate the experience for both visitors and exhibitors by leveraging advanced digital services and fostering impactful partnerships—reflecting the emirate's commitment to excellence and sustainability.' Al-Saleh further added: 'We are fully committed to ensuring that the upcoming edition is a true embodiment of Sharjah's vision for digital transformation and real estate transparency. We are mobilizing our technical and human resources to deliver an exhibition aligning with the emirate's stature and contributing meaningfully to sustainable economic growth.' Saeed Ghanem Al-Suwaidi, Chairman of the Representative Committee of the Real Estate Sector Business Group at Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasised the exhibition's strategic importance, stating: 'At the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we recognize the vital role that specialised exhibitions play in driving economic advancement. Therefore, 'ACRES 2026' is an ideal platform for showcasing high-quality projects and attracting substantial real estate investment. We are focused on delivering a more comprehensive and distinguished edition by nurturing public-private partnerships and offering an engaging platform that caters to diverse investor and visitor profiles.' The goal is to deliver an outstanding edition that resonates with the emirate's ambitions and fulfils the expectations of stakeholders across the real estate sector. These initiatives align with the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department's rapid strides in digital transformation, marked by the rollout of smart, cutting-edge services that streamline procedures and improve operational efficiency. Additionally, these developments significantly enhance the experience for exhibitors and visitors alike, creating an ideal setting for the presentation of innovative real estate solutions. An edition that elevates the emirate's ambitions and aligns with the aspirations of investors and exhibitors Intensive preparations are underway for the launch of the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition 'ACRES 2026' this January. The upcoming edition is poised to build on the accomplishments of its predecessor, which solidified ACRES' reputation as one of the region's premier specialised real estate platforms. The previous event created a dynamic and interactive environment that brought together leading real estate developers, entrepreneurs, and key decision-makers. It played a pivotal role in invigorating the market and strengthening investors' confidence in the emirate. In addition, the exhibition offers a prime opportunity for companies to promote their projects and unveil their latest developments to a wider audience of investors and stakeholders. Offering a Range of Smart Real Estate Services 'ACRES 2026' is expected to witness significant participation from both government and private entities. The event will also feature a variety of smart real estate services and a rich programme of accompanying events designed to stimulate dialogue on the future of the real estate industry. It will also explore prospects for growth and development across local, regional, and international markets. Meanwhile the Emirate of Sharjah recorded strong performance in its real estate sector during May 2025, with total trading value of Dhs5.5 billion across 8,415 transactions in various areas of the emirate. The total traded area of sales transactions reached 13.2 million square feet, which reflects the continued strength and strategic development of the emirate's real estate market.
Sharjah 24
18-06-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Intensive preparations are underway for launch of ACRES 2026 this January
Meeting the evolving aspirations of investors and exhibitors. As part of the lead-up to this major event, the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, in collaboration with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Leaders event management company, convened an extensive coordination meeting. The session brought together officials and representatives from key strategic partners to review developmental plans and proposals aimed at enhancing the exhibition's readiness. The goal is to deliver an outstanding edition that resonates with the emirate's ambitions and fulfills the expectations of stakeholders across the real estate sector. These initiatives align with the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department's rapid strides in digital transformation, marked by the rollout of smart, cutting-edge services that streamline procedures and improve operational efficiency. Additionally, these developments significantly enhance the experience for exhibitors and visitors alike, creating an ideal setting for the presentation of innovative real estate solutions. A new edition building on past success The upcoming edition is poised to build on the accomplishments of its predecessor, which solidified ACRES' reputation as one of the region's premier specialised real estate platforms. The previous event created a dynamic and interactive environment that brought together leading real estate developers, entrepreneurs, and key decision-makers. It played a pivotal role in invigorating the market and strengthening investors' confidence in the emirate. In addition, the exhibition offers a prime opportunity for companies to promote their projects and unveil their latest developments to a wider audience of investors and stakeholders. Enhancing the experience for visitors and exhibitors In this regard, His Excellency Abdulaziz Rashid Al-Saleh, Director of the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, stated: 'The Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition (ACRES) serves as a strategic platform that reinforces Sharjah's position as a regional hub for real estate investment. It provides an optimal environment for knowledge exchange and the introduction of the latest sector's innovations. Through our current preparations, we are working diligently to elevate the experience for both visitors and exhibitors by leveraging advanced digital services and fostering impactful partnerships—reflecting the emirate's commitment to excellence and sustainability.' Driving the Emirate's sustainable economic development Al-Saleh further added: 'We are fully committed to ensuring that the upcoming edition is a true embodiment of Sharjah's vision for digital transformation and real estate transparency. We are mobilizing our technical and human resources to deliver an exhibition aligning with the emirate's stature and contributing meaningfully to sustainable economic growth.' Attracting real estate investment His Excellency Saeed Ghanem Al-Suwaidi, Chairman of the Representative Committee of the Real Estate Sector Business Group at Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the exhibition's strategic importance, stating: 'At the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we recognise the vital role that specialised exhibitions play in driving economic advancement. Therefore, 'ACRES 2026' is an ideal platform for showcasing high-quality projects and attracting substantial real estate investment. We are focused on delivering a more comprehensive and distinguished edition by nurturing public-private partnerships and offering an engaging platform that caters to diverse investor and visitor profiles.' Offering a range of smart real estate services 'ACRES 2026' is expected to witness significant participation from both government and private entities. The event will also feature a variety of smart real estate services and a rich programme of accompanying events designed to stimulate dialogue on the future of the real estate industry. It will also explore prospects for growth and development across local, regional, and international markets.
