Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has announced the commencement of Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) payments valued at €16.91 million to 15,527 farmers. The scheme, now in its third year, provides €12 per breeding ewe to support initiatives that enhance animal health and welfare in Ireland’s sheep sector. Combined with the €11.50 per ewe from the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme, farmers will receive a total of €23.50 per ewe this year, up from €20 per ewe in 2024 for those participating in both schemes.
Minister Heydon emphasized the government’s commitment to timely payments, highlighting that the advance payments, representing 85% of total entitlements, are being issued promptly to support farmers. He reminded participants to respond quickly to any departmental correspondence and to submit their annual Sheep Census returns to remain eligible for both sheep support schemes.
In November alone, a total of €33.35 million has been issued to sheep farmers under various sheep support schemes. The remaining 15% of SIS payments is scheduled for disbursement in April 2026. Farmers are also encouraged to submit any outstanding documentation to the department’s Portlaoise Office to ensure full processing of applications.
The Sheep Improvement Scheme forms part of Ireland’s broader implementation of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which aims to maintain a stable food supply, protect farmers’ incomes, and support rural communities. With a total allocation of €100 million for 2023–2027, the SIS incentivizes farmers to take additional steps to improve the welfare and productivity of their flocks.
