More than €2.35 million in Areas of Natural Constraints payments is being issued to farmers in Waterford.

A total of 1,125 farmers across the county are due to receive payments under the scheme.

The money being issued now represents an 85% advance, with the remaining 15% balance due to be paid in early December.

The Areas of Natural Constraints scheme provides support to farmers operating in areas where natural conditions make farming more difficult.

Nationally, €179 million is being issued to more than 85,000 farmers.

Waterford TD and Minister of State John Cummins welcomed the payments, saying they would provide a timely boost to farm families and the wider rural economy.

Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon said payments should begin appearing in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days, with remaining cases continuing to be processed as they meet the scheme criteria.

The Department of Agriculture also says it remains on track to begin advance payments under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability, Complementary Income Support for Sustainability and Eco-scheme from October 16th.