Michael Healy-Rae
Question:192. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of qualifying farmers for the €25 million fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16292/16]
View answerWednesday, 15 June 2016
Questions (192)
Written answers
The Programme for Government provided for an allocation of €25 million to the sheep sector. The proposed scheme will be submitted to the European Commission for approval shortly as part of an amendment to the Rural Development Programme. Consultations are ongoing between my Department and the relevant stakeholders. I am conscious that the scheme will have to take into account the different challenges that exist within the sheep sector in Ireland with particular account to be taken of the differences in management between lowland flocks and hill flocks.
In the context of the Rural Development Programme any scheme will have to be drafted in accordance with the parameters allowable under the RDP. I thank the Deputy for his suggestion. All suggestions received from all stakeholders will be considered by my Department in the context of what is allowable under the RDP.
In relation to the status of qualifying farmers for the fund, it is my intention to make this scheme available to as many active sheep farmers as possible to allow this sector to avail of the opportunities identified for it in Food Wise 2025.