Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to support the sheep sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44416/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The sheep sector is a significant beneficiary of the main schemes operated by my Department. Sheep farmers receive an annual estimated €126m. under the Single Farm Payment and an annual estimated €60m. under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. In the case of REPS, some €84m. is paid annually to them.

The sector is also benefiting from measures that have been put in place following the Sheep Strategy Report. These include Breed Improvement, Quality Assurance and additional promotional measures from Bord Bia on home and export markets. Bord Bia will spend over €1 million this year on sheepmeat promotion.

Additional support to the sheep sector 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 11th December to consider their views and possible options.