Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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No. It is less than what it was projected to be back in 2016 and 2017. What was projected at that stage was potentially up to €25 million. That was then subject to demand, so I think the level of uptake was €16 million or €17 million. As with all the other schemes that are in place and the outgoing CAP, until we have entered the new CAP in 2023, the only option available to us is to look to roll over those schemes. It is not a requirement of us but it is something I have wanted to do. Therefore, I have rolled over the sheep welfare scheme too but updated the reference year in a way that seeks to maximise the number of sheep that qualify. Updating that reference year means that more payments will be made in respect of sheep this year. The reason I have increased the budget is to facilitate those extra payments. As the Deputy will be aware, under the new CAP, the €10 payment is due to increase to €12. As he will know, many sheep farmers would like that to be more, but that is what we are doing.