The rollout of these balancing payments brings the total amount paid to over 17,020 farmers under the SIS for 2023 to €21.33m. The 85 per cent advance payment issued to eligible farmers in November 2023.
Commenting, Minister McConalogue said: “The issuing of this €2.17m in SIS balancing payments is an important support to sheep farmers providing a financial boost to the individual farmers themselves and the wider rural economy.
“A further 286 new entrants joined the SIS earlier this year bringing total participation in the scheme now to 18,940. The introduction of the Sheep Improvement Scheme in 2023 combined with the rollout of the National Sheep Welfare Scheme in 2024 demonstrates the commitment of this government to supporting sheep farmers. Between the support I have provided under the SIS and National Sheep Welfare Scheme, €20 per ewe is available to sheep farmers in 2024, the highest payment ever made to this important sector.”
Minister McConalogue has urged any farmers with outstanding queries to respond to the department’s sheep section immediately to facilitate payment and confirmed that the department will continue to issue payments on an ongoing basis as outstanding queries are resolved.
He also reminded and urged participants to take due care and time in carrying out the actions they have selected under both the SIS and the National Sheep Welfare Scheme in 2024 and to accurately record them within the Action Record sheets provided by the Department.