Minister Canney welcomes €182,000 in Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme payments for 313 Galway farmers
Sean Canney, TD Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the commencement of €181,955.80 in payments under the CSP Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme to 313 participants in Galway.
In total, over €5.98 million has commenced issuing to some 9,175 participating farmers, supporting 299,839 dairy beef calves. This payment represents a 17.4% increase in the number of calves supported in scheme year 1.
The Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme provides support to dairy farmers to improve the animal health and welfare of the national dairy herd by using better genetic merit beef sires.
This is the second year of the scheme as part of the CAP Strategic Plan with payments issuing in respect of eligible calves born on applicant’s holdings between 01 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.
The Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme will reopen for applications in April 2026 for new applicants, but farmers who applied in 2024 or 2025 do not need to reapply as their participation in the scheme will automatically continue.
Minister Canney said: “I welcome the commencement of almost €182,000 in payments to 313 farmers across Galway under year two of the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme.
This scheme is delivering real support to farm families by encouraging stronger integration between our dairy and beef sectors while improving animal health and welfare standards.
I would encourage any eligible farmers to consider applying when the scheme reopens in April.”
Payment of €20 per eligible calf (up to a maximum of 50 calves per applicant herd) will be made to eligible participants. These payments will be visible in farmers’ bank accounts in the coming days.
Farmers wishing to contact the Department regarding their Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme payments can ring the Direct Payments Helpline at 057-8674422 or by email to dairybeef@agriculture.gov.ie