Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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525. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the introduction of a sheep payment; the proposed requirements to receive the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28343/16]

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. The inclusion of this provision in the programme for Government reflects a commitment by the Government to ensuring the continued viability of the sheep sector in Ireland.

The sheep sector generally makes an important contribution to the Agri-Food economy generating an output value of €320 million and exporting in excess of €230 million in 2015. Furthermore 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 also.

My Department has engaged in extensive consultation with farm organisations and with officials of the European Commission to discuss the proposed new scheme in the context of the specific requirements of the Rural Development Programme.

As a result of these consultations my Department has submitted as part of its proposed second amendment to Ireland's Rural Development Programme an animal welfare scheme for the sheep sector. This proposed amendment is currently with the European Commission for examination and my Department awaits the outcome of this examination which may require further detailed discussions with the European Commission. 

I intend to ensure that the scheme will be made available to as many sheep farmers as possible and that it will provide for participation by both hill and lowland flock owners.