Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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453. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sheep farmers in the State; the number of organic sheep farmers; the supports that will be available to organic and non-organic sheep farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67431/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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In Budget 2026, I secured an allocation of €131m for the livestock sector, which will ensure the continuation of existing dedicated supports, including those worth €42m to the sheep sector in 2026.

Those supports consist of €20m for the multi-annual CSP Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) and €22m for the annual National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS).

The 2025 NSWS budget was an increase of €7m, or 47%, on the preceding year of 2024. Payments amounting to €16.44m have already issued to more than 13,000 farmers in respect of their participation in the 2025 scheme.

The SIS operates under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, and provides financial support to farmers undertaking measures exceeding mandatory standards to improve flock welfare. Advance payments amounting to €16.91m recently issued to over 15,500 beneficiaries in respect of their participation in year three of the scheme.

In addition, there are many other multi-annual schemes available under the current CSP, which is worth €9.8 billion to farmers and rural communities between 2023 and 2027. These include basic income payments as well as agri-environment, investment and organic farming schemes, which are particularly significant for sheep farmer incomes. There are 2,906 organic sheep farmers in Organic Farming Scheme (OFS).

Organic farmers are also supported by the Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS) which is part of the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS). This scheme facilitates the development of the organic sector to ensure a regular supply of high-quality organic produce to the market. It also incentivises organic farmers currently participating in the OFS to upgrade their agricultural buildings and equipment. OFS participants are paid a higher rate of 60% up to a maximum of €90,000 per holding.

According to the latest census report published by my department, a total of 3.6 million sheep were kept across 33,805 registered flocks in the country at the end of December 2024.

The array of supports provided to sheep farmers demonstrates my commitment to promoting a viable, resilient and sustainable sheep sector.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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454. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress which has been made regarding securing a market for sheep wool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67453/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The marketing of Irish sheep wool is a commercial activity for the wool industry; however, I am aware that the price of wool has been at a low level for some time and that developing new markets is key to the growth of the sector.

My Department has taken several steps to support Irish wool and to find new markets. This included an in-depth study of the Irish wool market called Review Of Market Opportunities For Irish-Grown Wool Based Products, which was published in 2022.

In support of the recommendations of the report, €30,000 in seed funding was committed to the establishment of the independent Irish Grown Wool Council, which was launched in 2023.

Another step has been the allocation of research funding for the SPRING WOOL project. This is a Munster Technological University-led project that focuses on removing obstacles to the sale of Irish wool and providing a springboard for innovation in the sector. The project has received €574,683 in funding and involves different strands of research to develop Irish wool as a valuable, sustainable product.

I am also aware that further research funding of €657,403 has been provided by the Environmental Protection Agency to UCC for their Regenerative Value Systems for Irish Grown Wool in Ireland project. Its aim is to re-establish a sustainable wool sector in Ireland to benefit stakeholders along the value chain.

Additionally, my Department is subsidising sheep shearing under the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS), which is worth €22 million to farmers this year.