Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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140. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is conscious of the need to support dry stock farmers in the Dublin region; the engagement he has had with farmers in this region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54866/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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In recognition of the importance of the drystock sector, I have secured € 131 million in Budget 2026 for the various livestock schemes.

Consistent with the Government’s commitment to protect and enhance farm incomes, my Department is providing a wide range of supports aimed at promoting a viable, resilient and sustainable drystock sector.

These supports consist of schemes specifically tailored to the needs of drystock farmers including, the Beef Welfare Scheme, the National Sheep Welfare Scheme and the National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme.

In addition, there are many other supports, such as agri-environment, capital investment and organic farming schemes, available to farmers generally under the current CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) which is worth €9.8 billion in total to farmers and rural communities between 2023 and 2027. CSP schemes of direct relevance to the drystock sector include the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme and the Sheep Improvement Scheme.

In accordance with the Programme for Government, I will continue to provide scheme supports for drystock farmers and will work to ensure measures are straightforward to encourage uptake.

Stakeholders will be consulted on scheme design before these supports are launched next year. This process is part of extensive and regular engagement that my Department has with the farm bodies on a wide range of issues of interest to their members.