Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In terms of the Brexit adjustment reserve, other funding and annual negotiations around budget, I want to draw down and pull in every bit of funding I possibly can across all segments, and not just the sheep sector, to support and enhance farm family income. Every opportunity has been assessed for the sheep and other sectors and we continue to do that. We fully assess any new ideas that may work but it is difficult to stack it up. If Deputy Kerrane has a proposal, I am open to it. I have also said to the farm organisations that if they see an innovative way to do it in the sheep sector or any other sector, I am open to it. We have investigated it in detail in the Department. My officials assess it at all times and go through the Brexit adjustment reserve capacity to see where it might be delivered. If the Deputy has a particular thought on the matter I will consider it but so far, all of the assessments are that there is no way to make it stick with the Brexit adjustment reserve. Regarding the CAP funding, the ACRES decision, in particular, is significant for sheep farmers. I am conscious that this can deliver significant income for sheep family farmers this year.

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