Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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984. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise when the fodder support scheme will open for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28404/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, I announced in June 2022 the launch of the €56 million Fodder Support Scheme. The aim of the scheme was to incentivise farmers, in particular drystock farmers, to grow more fodder (silage and/or hay) to ensure Ireland did not have any animal welfare issues over the 2022 winter and 2023 spring.

Building on the success of the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme, in November 2022, I launched the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme.

Both schemes were a recognition of the impact of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the impact that had in terms of access to imported animal feed and on the price of agricultural inputs, especially chemical fertiliser.

Any decision on expenditure for 2024 is matter for the 2024 budgetary process.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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985. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to expanding the fodder support scheme to applicants who did not participate in the scheme in 2022 or 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28405/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, I announced in June 2022 the launch of the €56 million Fodder Support Scheme. The aim of the scheme was to incentivise farmers, in particular drystock farmers, to grow more fodder (silage and/or hay) to ensure Ireland did not have any animal welfare issues over the 2022 winter and 2023 spring.

Building on the success of the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme, in November 2022, I launched the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme.

Both schemes were a recognition of the impact of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the impact that had in terms of access to imported animal feed and on the price of agricultural inputs, especially chemical fertiliser.

I will continue to monitor the situation around the price of agricultural inputs and availability and supply of fodder throughout 2023, but at this point I have no plans to re-open the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme and/or the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme to new applicants.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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986. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants to the fodder support scheme in 2022 and 2023; the number that were accepted and rejected in each year; if he will provide this information, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28406/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, I announced in June 2022 the launch of the €56 million Fodder Support Scheme. The aim of the scheme was to incentivise farmers, in particular drystock farmers, to grow more fodder (silage and/or hay) to ensure Ireland did not have any animal welfare issues over the 2022 winter and 2023 spring.

Building on the success of the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme, in November 2022, I launched the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme. Only successful applicants for the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme were eligible to apply for the 2023 Scheme, which closed at midnight on the 5th of December 2022.

Both schemes were a recognition of the impact of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the impact that had in terms of access to imported animal feed and on the price of agricultural inputs, especially chemical fertiliser.

The table below details the applicant figures in both the 2022 and 2023 Fodder Support Scheme as of 8^thJune 2023.

*This includes cases currently subject to an appeals process, under review and awaiting outstanding information.