Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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786. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support the call for €30 per ewe for the sheep welfare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31040/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Sheep Welfare Scheme was launched in December 2016, for a period of four years.  The scheme reflected the commitment of the Government to the sheep sector in Ireland and was introduced as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme, having been agreed with the European Commission.

The current rate of payment of €10 is based on the agreed costings underlying the actions to be undertaken in the scheme, and an increase in payments would thus require changes to the actions currently being undertaken by farmers.  Any such changes to the detail of the scheme, such as the rate of payment, would require the agreement of the European Commission via the formal Rural Development Programme amendment process. 

I am happy to confirm that as part of the recently announced Budget, I have secured funding to extend the current Sheep Welfare Scheme for another year, commencing in 2021.  This ensures the provision of a further €17m in direct support to the sheep sector.