Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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74. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is taking to address the income challenges facing hill farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21004/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The new Programme for Government commits to the introduction of a scheme for sheep farmers under the Rural Development Programme, with a budget of €25 million to be provided in Budget 2017. This will have a positive impact on all sheep farmers including those farming on the hills, where sheep farming is the most common farm enterprise.

This commitment recognises the contribution the sheepmeat sector makes to the Irish Agri Food economy, generating an output value of €320 million and exporting in excess of €230 million in 2015. The sector also makes a vital contribution to the economy, supporting 34,000 farm families directly, in addition to providing several thousand jobs indirectly in rural areas.

I am acutely aware that in spite of these figures that profitability at farm level remains a challenge for all sheep farmers, including hill farmers.

My Department already has in place a number of schemes including the BPS, GLAS, ANC and TAMS which make a vital contribution to ensuring the continuing viability of hill farmers.

In relation to the proposed new sheep scheme, my Department has examined in detail the Rural Development Regulation with a view to formulating a scheme which can have a positive and long term impact on sheep farmers, including those in the hills, and meet the exacting requirements of the Rural Development Regulation.

My Department has also consulted with farm organisations and met two weeks ago with officials of the European Commission to discuss the proposed new scheme in the context of the specific requirements of the Rural Development Programme. Any scheme and actions undertaken within the schemes must be demonstrated to be verifiable and controlled. This will be an area that the Commission will examine in great detail.

I can assure the deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that this scheme will be of significant benefit to all sheep farmers, including hill farmers.