Erin McGreehan
Question:41. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he is supporting the sheep wool sector. [51852/26]
View answerThursday, 9 July 2026
Questions (41)
Written answers
My Department has supported the Irish wool sector in a number of ways including commissioning an in-depth study of the Irish wool market called Review Of Market Opportunities For Irish-Grown Wool Based Products, which was published in 2022.
That study led to the establishment of the Irish Grown Wool Council in 2023, which my Department supported with €30,000 in seed funding.
In addition, my Department has provided research funding of €574,683 for the SPRINGWOOL project. This project which is led by the Munster Technological University focuses on removing obstacles to the sale of Irish wool and will provide a springboard for innovation in the sector. The project involves different strands of research to develop Irish wool as a valuable, sustainable product.
I also understand that the Environmental Protection Agency has allocated further research funding of €657,403 to University College Cork for their Regenerative Value Systems for Irish Grown Wool in Ireland project.
My Department has also subsidised sheep shearing under the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme, which was worth €22 million to farmers last year.
I am very optimistic that the results of the two wool research projects and the continued work of the Irish Grown Wool Council will contribute greatly to the development of different methodology and alternative uses for Irish Wool.