Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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484. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the new €25 million sheep scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18373/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The programme for Government committed to introducing a scheme for sheep farmers under the Rural Development Programme with a budget of €25 million to be provided in Budget 2017. In this regard, a submission will shortly be made to the European Commission. It is my intention that this scheme’s design will maximise the number of participants and deliver tangible benefits to the sheep sector in terms of its impact to on-farm practices. Any such scheme must also meet certain exacting criteria laid down by the European Commission in order to avail of 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.

As regards the scheme design and operation, my Department has been i n consultation with sectoral stakeholders and is currently working on developing the details of the scheme for engagement with the European Commission. Any scheme must be acceptable to both 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.