Over €167,000 in payments for 159 Offaly sheep farmers

OFFALY Fianna Fáil General Election Candidate Cllr Claire Murray has confirmed that 159 Offaly farmers are in line to receive a total of €167,768 under the National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS).

Nationwide, payments under the scheme totalling €14.36 million have started to issue to 15,465 farmers and that the scheme further demonstrates the continuing commitment of Fianna Fail in government to the sheep sector.

Cllr Murray said: "The issuing of €14.36 million of payments under the 2024 National Sheep Welfare Scheme is crucial to the sheep sector and farm families. Fianna Fáil in Government fully realises the importance of the sheep sector and is committed to supporting it.

"In the recent Budget, the payment of €8 per ewe under the NSWS increased by €5 to €13 per ewe.

"When combined with the €12 per ewe available under the CSP Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS), sheep farmers will receive €25 per ewe in 2025.

"This is a 150% increase in funding from €10 to €25 since Fianna Fáil entered government in 2020 and is by far the largest payment ever made to sheep farmers.

“If I'm elected to the Dáil in the forthcoming general election I will focus on listening to farmers, acting on their concerns and being absolutely committed to continuing to help them meet the varied significant challenges across the sector.”