Just shy of €53m was paid out to sheep farmers under the Sheep Welfare Scheme over the last three years, according to the latest figures from the Department of Agriculture.

The scheme was introduced in 2016, with the first batch of payments coming in November 2017. A payment of €10/ewe was made available and the initial budget was €25m per year to cover all breeding ewes.

However, just over 21,000 farmers applied to the scheme with €18.7m in funds drawn down.

Payments

The majority of farmers who applied came from the traditional sheep counties of Donegal (3,637), Mayo (3,061), Galway (2,470), and Kerry (1,718).

The average payment to farmers in these counties was €840. In contrast, farmers in Kildare, Waterford and Wicklow had the highest payments at over €1,400, reflecting the larger flock sizes.

Since the scheme began, the number of farmers receiving as payment has fallen year on year. In 2019, 18,600 farmers claimed payments worth a combined €16.8m. This is a fall of 12% in farmers and 10% in funds since year one.

Almost all schemes experience some degree of drop-off in interest, particularly those rolled over on an annual basis. The 2,466 farmers who opted out of the sheep welfare scheme represent some €1.83m in payments.

Dates

Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary outlined the figures in response to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin’s spokesperson for agriculture Matt Carthy.

Minister Calleary said the first 85% payment for 2020 will be made in the fourth quarter of the year, in line with previous years.

The balancing payment of 15% made in the second quarter of 2021 is set to be the last payment in the scheme unless it is renewed during the CAP transition phase.

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