Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept it is the first year of the new CAP programme but the feedback from many of the sheep farmers I have engaged with, and many of the hill farmers, is that the payment is insufficient to provide the support sheep farmers need to maintain their livelihoods and keep the sector alive.

Certainly, we need to do more in terms of financial aid and to ensure we can enhance the direct targeted supports. This increased funding will go a long way to ensuring new entrants to sheep farming are provided with an opportunity not only to increase and build their flocks, but also to support existing farmers in the sector. I look forward to working with the Minister to ensure this is possible in the future.

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