Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1264. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37678/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.

I have been informed that the Agriculture Appeals Office received an appeal from the person named on 23^rdFebruary 2023. However, at that time no internal review of the decision had been requested of my Department. A review decision was subsequently requested and was completed during May 2023. I am informed the person named subsequently provided grounds of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office during August 2023 and this allowed the appeal to be progressed.

I am also informed the Agriculture Appeals Office is since in receipt of my Department’s statement on the grounds of appeal and the related documents which will allow for the appeal to be assigned to an Appeals Officer. I am assured the Appeals Officer will be in contact with the farmer in the near future to progress this appeal.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1265. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated full-year cost of increasing the sheep improvement scheme payment by €1 per ewe in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37683/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS), currently in year one of operation, is an EU co-funded scheme provided for under the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan.

Expenditure on the Sheep Improvement Scheme is based on a payment of €12 per breeding ewe upon completion of two actions chosen by the farmer from a menu of options provided in the Scheme Terms and Conditions.

SIS payment rates are based on the agreed costings underlying the actions to be undertaken in the scheme. Any increase in payments would thus require changes to the actions currently being undertaken by farmers. Any such changes to the details of the scheme would require the agreement of the European Commission.

Based on the current number of applicants in the SIS, the average flock size, the reference number of breeding ewes and assuming all eligibility requirements are met, the estimated full year cost of increasing the SIS payment by €1 per ewe would be approximately €1.9m.