Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1258. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on a budget announcement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54377/22]

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1259. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54378/22]

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1260. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54379/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1258 to 1260, inclusive, together.

Funding of €8 million was announced for a Liming measure as part of Budget 2023. This measure will support farmers in offsetting some of the cost associated with purchasing and applying lime to correct soil acidity.

Research shows that achieving optimum soil pH, not only unlocks soil phosphorous and potassium but also increases the growing crop's response to applied nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium fertiliser. This allows a reduction in fertiliser application rates.

Having soil at the optimum pH is also very important for clover based swards and multi-species swards which require lower levels of chemical nitrogen.

The Liming measure is currently in the development phase and details, including the price to be paid per tonne of lime spread, as well as the Terms and Conditions for applicants, will be announced at a later date.

Subject to Department of Public Expenditure and Reform approval, it is expected that the Liming measure will open for applications in the Spring of 2023.