Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra ansin. I was delighted to meet with Tom Lane, Tom Holmes and Stephen Walsh from the Clare Irish Farmers' Association, IFA, branch a few weeks ago and we had a very long conversation about the pressures being faced by farmers in County Clare. I know that it is the same story in his constituency and throughout the country, where farmers are facing enormous financial pressures in respect of pricing and inflation.

I welcome the addition to €2 per ewe in the SIS but, as I am sure the Minister of State will be aware, that increase was quickly eaten up by rising costs from shearing to vaccines, and everything in between.

With respect to the BAR fund, Ireland has been allocated more than €1 billion, which is approximately 20% of the total funding. This month we received the third instalment amounting to more than €280 million. That money could be used to help insulate and provide economic sustainability to the sheep farming sector. There are in excess of 600 sheep farmers producing world-class products but I am deeply concerned that the sector will not expand as there is no incentive for new entrants.

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