Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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169. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the sheep welfare scheme payments were lower than anticipated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66740/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Payment schemes for the sheep sector can be divided into two types.

1. National schemes - so in the context of sheep, the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme

2. CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) schemes - so for sheep that is the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS)

€22 million was allocated for the continuation and expansion of the National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) measures in Budget 2025 compared to €15m in 2024.

Over 17,200 farmers submitted an application.

Applicants are required to complete 2 actions mandatory actions worth €8 per ewe and to choose one voluntary action worth €3.50 per ewe, therefore three actions overall if they wish to receive the full €11.50 payment.

In 2024, applicants who completed their 2 chosen actions were paid at a rate of €8 per breeding ewe. In 2025 the option of completing an additional action was provided within the scheme and any applicants who have selected to carry out all three actions will be paid €11.50 per breeding ewe, an increase of 44% on payment rates in 2024.

Payments for the National Sheep Welfare Scheme commenced on 10 November 2025 with €16.44 million paid to 13,175 participants. A further payrun will occur in early December 2025. All of the €22 million will be spent.

I have secured a further €22 million for a continuation of this scheme in 2026 and discussions with the farming organisations have already taken place. When the €11.50 per ewe is combined with the €12 per ewe payable under the Sheep Improvement scheme, total payments per ewe will be €23.50.