Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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245. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria he is considering for the amended application to receive European Union approval for the sheep payment scheme under the rural development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16572/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The programme for Government committed to introducing a new sheep scheme under the Rural Development Programme with a budget of €25 million provided in Budget 2017. In this regard a submission will be made to the European Commission shortly.

In relation to the design of the scheme, my Department is currently in consultation with the stakeholders. Any scheme must be both acceptable to the European Commission in the context of the requirements of the Rural Development Programme and also take account of the different production systems in the Irish sheep flock.

It is my intention that this scheme will be designed in order to maximise the number of applicants and to deliver clear benefits to the sheep sector in terms of its impact to on farm practices. Any such scheme must also meet the exacting requirements for EU funding approval.

This scheme, in addition to the existing supports available to sheep farmers under the BPS, GLAS, ANC and TAMS will make a vital contribution to ensuring the continued viability of the Irish sheep sector.