Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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200. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial support schemes and incentives that are in place to support sheep farmers in the Irish sheep sector; if consideration will be given to the provision of additional financial supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20838/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is fully committed to a viable, resilient and sustainable sheep sector. It is an integral element of a balanced regional economy, particularly along the western seaboard, and I recognise that our sheep farmers are producing a world-class, safe and sustainable product.

Although there has been a solid and sustained increase in average sheep prices since the end of February, sheep farmers are experiencing more difficult market conditions in 2023 compared to recent years. Market prices, however, are a commercial matter to be bargained between suppliers and buyers and Government has no role in determining commodity prices in the sheep sector.

To bolster the sustainability of sheep farming, my Department provides significant support to the sector under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), both through a new targeted scheme for sheep farmers - the Sheep Improvement Scheme, which aims to improve sheep health and welfare - and through the broad range of schemes in the CSP.

My Department has received over 19,000 applications for the new Sheep Improvement Scheme, which has a 20% increase in the payment rate per ewe - from €10 to €12 - compared to the previous Sheep Welfare Scheme.

The CSP provides almost €10 billion in supports over the period to 2027 for farm families. Sheep farmers are eligible for several other CSP schemes, including the ACRES and Organics schemes, which are particularly suited to sheep enterprises or mixed beef and sheep enterprises, and which are likely to provide higher direct payments to sheep farmers this year.

I have secured places for all 46,000 farmers in ACRES which will benefit many sheep farmers.

Furthermore, support for early-stage producer organisations, which will be introduced later this year, will strengthen the position of sheep farmers in the supply chain.

Additionally, over the last year I have supported livestock farmers in dealing with increased costs by introducing:

- a €56 million fodder incentive scheme;

- an innovative €8 million national liming programme; and

- a €2.5m package for multispecies sward and red clover silage measures to reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers.

While market returns have reduced for sheep farmers, mainly because of increased input costs, Teagasc forecasts suggest that family farm income for specialised sheep farms in 2023 will be €19,500, a reduction of 2% on 2022. This reflects the important role which direct payments play in supporting sheep farm incomes.

With regard to the current challenges facing sheep farmers, I have requested my officials to closely monitor market developments over the coming months and the Government will continue to make every effort to support the sector.