Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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232. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to support sheep farmers including the rates of support he is considering and if these are open to increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16527/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Government is very conscious of the importance of the sheep sector to the rural economy and my Department already provides a number of supports to sheep farmers under both Pillar I and Pillar II of the Common Agricultural Policy. My Department recently secured support for sheep fencing under TAMS II which will, together with the other eligible investments under TAMS, provide a significant support to investments by sheep farmers in their farm infrastructure.

In relation to the proposed sheep scheme consultations are ongoing between officials from my Department and relevant stakeholders.

My Department will shortly make a submission to the European Commission as part of the mid-year Rural Development Programme amendment for 2016 which will include the proposed sheep scheme.

Work is ongoing on the specific details of the scheme. I am however in a position to confirm that it is my intention that the full €25 million committed in the programme for government will be made available for applicants to the scheme.