Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the hardship to sheep farmers arising from budget 2009 cutbacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44299/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the difficulties facing the sheep sector and the possibilities of support to it will be considered in the light of the outcome of the recent CAP Health Check. That outcome provides that an additional amount of some €24 million annually will be available to Irish farmers from 2010 onwards. That amount may be used to target specific sectors in need of assistance and represents money that would otherwise not be available to farmers due to the complex rules surrounding the Single Farm Payment. Support may commence in 2009 by utilising funds from the National Reserve, which are expected to be in the region of €6 million to €7 million, and these will be supplemented from 2010 with the unspent Single Farm Payment funds.

As I indicated following the completion of the Health Check, I will consult relevant stakeholders as to how these additional funds can best be spent. To that end I will meet with them on 16th December to consider their views and possible options.