Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1265. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated full-year cost of increasing the sheep improvement scheme payment by €1 per ewe in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37683/23]
View answerThe Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS), currently in year one of operation, is an EU co-funded scheme provided for under the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan.
Expenditure on the Sheep Improvement Scheme is based on a payment of €12 per breeding ewe upon completion of two actions chosen by the farmer from a menu of options provided in the Scheme Terms and Conditions.
SIS payment rates are based on the agreed costings underlying the actions to be undertaken in the scheme. Any increase in payments would thus require changes to the actions currently being undertaken by farmers. Any such changes to the details of the scheme would require the agreement of the European Commission.
Based on the current number of applicants in the SIS, the average flock size, the reference number of breeding ewes and assuming all eligibility requirements are met, the estimated full year cost of increasing the SIS payment by €1 per ewe would be approximately €1.9m.
