Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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431. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if research is being carried out on increasing the production of sheep milk in Ireland; his views on whether Ireland has a potential market to expand into, given that some EU member states, which have traditionally been the largest sheep milk producers, are witnessing a reduction in their ability to produce sheep milk; if he has any plans to assist in expanding Ireland’s production of sheep milk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5512/23]

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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432. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has plans to request a detailed analysis from Teagasc regarding the potential for Ireland to increase its sheep milk production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5513/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 432 together.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) supports research and innovation to enable the agri-food and forest sector deliver greater efficiency, sustainability and the development of a strong bioeconomy. It has a variety of funding instruments with which to do this and these are aligned with important policy, legislative and other issues, challenges and trends facing the sector.

There are currently no research projects funded by my Department in relation to sheep milk production. There are several European studies into sheep milk production at European level. 

The Government remains committed to supporting the sheep sector. The Irish sheep industry is predominantly focused on meat production with only a very small percentage of milking sheep which are mainly focused on local sheep’s milk cheese production, and this is reflected in current Government policy and strategies. However, DAFM and agencies are happy to engage with any industry members seeking to develop this sector. 

While there are no schemes directly aimed at supporting sheep milk producers, there are a range of schemes which they can avail of under the new CAP Strategic Plan including the ACRES and Organics Schemes. 

In addition, under the TAMS scheme, sheep farmers can apply for capital investment grants for sheep fencing and specific housing investments, sheep handling equipment, EID tag readers and lambing cameras for sheep. Sheep milk farmers can also apply for capital investment grants for milking machines, water heaters, bulk milk tanks and other dairy investments.

DAFM is also in the process of expanding Recognised Producer Organisation status to both the sheep and dairy sectors.

Teagasc's research activities are an operational matter for Teagasc. However, I understand that Teagasc has a proactive Sheep Stakeholders Committee, which ensures an effective partnership between Teagasc, industry stakeholders and sheep farmers; and that Committee is the appropriate forum for stakeholders to raise issues which they would like to see researched.