Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
86. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will seek to ensure that farmers who choose the later reporting option for national sheep welfare scheme measures do not have their payment delayed until after January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18240/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Sheep Welfare Scheme will operate in 2024 with a budget of €15 million.
Participants in the National Sheep Welfare Scheme are required to complete two actions to receive the full payment of €8 per ewe (€4 per action completed). This will be in addition to payments farmers may be eligible for under the Sheep Improvement Scheme where they are participating in that scheme also.
The scheme consists of four possible measures grouped into two categories as follows:
• Category A – shearing OR body condition scoring of ewes;
• Category B – clostridial vaccination of ewes (or lambs if ewes are not already in a vaccination programme) OR plunge dipping of ewes.
The scheme was designed in consultation with the farming organisations and the completion date for actions in the scheme of 15 October 2024 (section 2.1 of the National Sheep Welfare Scheme Terms and Conditions) was included to facilitate payments under the scheme by my Department in mid-November 2024.
In light of the concerns raised by a small number of farming bodies, my Department will implement a process to allow participants in the Scheme opt for a later completion date for their chosen actions to 25 November 2024, once my Department is informed of same by the beneficiary or their FAS Advisor authorised to act on their behalf by 15 September 2024. However, participants who opt for the later completion date will not have their payments processed and paid before the end of December/early January 2025.
As with all payment schemes operated by my Department, we will endeavour to pay beneficiaries who have complied with the Terms and Conditions as early as possible once all checks and validations have been undertaken.
