Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are closely monitoring this matter. My Department, working closely with Teagasc, is assessing the impact of costs on farm incomes. That is why I stepped forward with the fodder support this year to which farmers have responded very strongly. It is also why I brought forward the payment for next year to enable farmers to plan ahead and equip them with additional funds to purchase fertiliser ahead for next year. I also introduced the tillage incentive scheme of €400 per hectare to try to improve the production of feed domestically. That is an important scheme which I want to develop in the time ahead. Another significant change we made in the recent budget was to recognise the impact of energy costs at farm level by ensuring farm families were eligible for the energy support scheme. That was an important ask from stakeholders and we delivered it.

Planning ahead and making ourselves more resilient are important. I have spoken about the multi-species sward and the liming grant for next year. We are also making a significant step change around solar investments by providing up to 60% grant aid for investment of up to €90,000 of solar investment for each farm.

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