Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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605. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports he will put in place for sheep farmers in view of the fact they have missed out on the fodder scheme and that the sheep welfare scheme has not provided any additional money in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56182/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy should be aware, the Fodder Support Scheme was open to all farmers who submitted a BPS Application in 2022 and who were not, as of 16th May 2022, in a Milk Supply Contract.

Government remains committed to supporting the sheep sector. The core targeted support for the sheep sector from 2023 will be the Sheep Improvement Scheme which aims to build on the progress made by the Sheep Welfare by providing support for actions that improve animal health and welfare in the sheep sector.

Sheep farmers will receive a rate of €12 per breeding ewe under this measure, the rate under the sheep welfare scheme was €10 per breeding ewe. Sheep farmers are also eligible for a number of other support schemes, including for example the ACRES scheme, and the Organics Scheme.

Another significant support for the sheep sector is the inclusion of the sector in the new support for early-stage producer organisations in the incoming CSP which, in addition to providing administrative support of up to €33,000 to groups, provides under competition law for collective bargaining on output prices thereby strengthening their position in the supply chain.

One of the commitments under the current Programme for Government was to conduct a review of the potential demand for wool-based products such as for insulation and fertilisers in domestic and international markets.

The independently compiled review published on 1st July 2022 contains a number of findings and recommendations including potential funding streams, market opportunities for wool and multiple areas for additional research and development.

One of the main recommendations is the establishment of an industry-led Wool Council which would develop and promote Irish wool domestically and internationally and bring together multiple stakeholders to foster collaboration, innovation and scaling activities in the wool sector.

In support of this recommendation, I have committed to provide funding to the wool industry of €30,000 towards the initial set-up costs of setting up this independent industry led Wool Council.