Minister Canney Welcomes Over €1.6 Million in Payments to Galway Sheep Farmers Under 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme
Seán 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 payments under the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme, which will see over €1.6 million issued to 1,459 farmers in County Galway this week.
The payments are part of a nationwide rollout of €16.44 million announced by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, supporting more than 13,000 farmers across the country.
Minister Canney said the latest round of payments represents a vital boost for farm families and rural communities in Galway and right across the West.
“This funding recognises the central role sheep farming plays in sustaining rural life and the local economy across the West of Ireland. The €1.6 million now being paid to 1,459 Galway farmers will help with on-farm welfare improvements and cashflow as we approach the end of the year,” Minister Canney said.
He noted that the 2025 scheme has been hugely popular, with more than 17,000 applications nationwide covering 1.91 million ewes. Because of the high level of participation, the payment rate was set at €11.50 per ewe – a 44% increase on the €8 rate under last year’s scheme.
“When combined with the €12 per ewe available under the Sheep Improvement Scheme, sheep farmers participating in both supports will receive up to €23.50 per ewe this year – a 17.5% increase on last year’s combined rate. This is real, tangible support for our sheep sector,” the Minister added.
Minister Canney also welcomed Minister Heydon’s confirmation that a further €22 million has been secured for a similar scheme in 2026, ensuring ongoing support for the sector.
Payments are now issuing to over 90% of farmers who completed their actions by 17 October, with a further payrun scheduled for mid-December for those with a later completion date.
“The National Sheep Welfare Scheme is an important part of the wider suite of supports under the CAP and national programmes that back family farms, particularly in counties like Galway where the sheep sector is a cornerstone of the local economy,” Minister Canney concluded.
ENDS