William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

611. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to ensuring that small and part-time farmers who have incurred fertiliser costs can access the payment under the EU emergency fertiliser package; and if he will ensure that the scheme provides equitable support across farms of different sizes. [68213/26]

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

612. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the €15.4 million EU emergency fertiliser package will be made available to farmers; if he will confirm whether additional Government funding will be provided under Budget 2027 to supplement this allocation; and the proposed eligibility criteria and minimum payment thresholds under the scheme. [68212/26]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 611 and 612 together.

With reference to the EU exceptional aid package, as announced by the European Commission, to support farmers facing increased fertiliser and energy costs due to the Middle East crisis, my Department is currently developing a scheme to distribute the €15.4 million made available to Ireland as part of that package. The proposed scheme will be targeted, insofar and as equitably as possible, at the farmers most severely affected by escalating input costs, including fertiliser costs.

The EU Regulation permits member states to provide additional national co-funding up to a maximum of 200% of the initial allocation and the provision of any such national top-up funding is part of the 2027 Budget discussions.