Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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397. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will allow for a late application due to illness under the sheep welfare scheme for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62383/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The objective of the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) is to further enhance animal health and welfare on sheep farms. It builds on the 2024 National Welfare Scheme that was introduced in April 2024 and which the herd owner participated in.

The application opening date for NSWS 2025 was 28th March 2025, and the closing date was 15th May 2025. There was a 25-calendar day period after the 15th May 2025 to submit a late application at a reduction rate of 1% per working day up to and including the 09th June 2025.

The Department has examined its records relating to 2025 NSWS applications and I can confirm no application was submitted by the herd owner referred to by the Deputy, or on their behalf by a FAS Advisor for the 2025 NSWS.

On 07 November 2025, my Department received a request for a review from the herd owner. This review will be processed shortly by my Department and the outcome of that will issue directly to the farmer concerned.