Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 July 2026
60. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he has engaged with Teagasc on the provision/acquisition of a hill sheep research farm in the West; his views on the benefits of such research to farmers and stakeholders in terms of biodiversity and carbon storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51124/26]
View answerI am aware of Teagasc’s interest in establishing a dedicated upland hill research farm to increase its research capacity in upland livestock systems, including sheep and cattle.
I am supportive of this initiative to help address the economic, environmental and societal challenges facing uplands areas. These areas support approximately 16,000 hill farming households. Most are involved in hill sheep production (producing one-third of Ireland’s breeding ewes), with some in suckler cattle systems.
A dedicated uplands research farm would also support national and EU policy objectives on climate action, biodiversity, water protection, while strengthening Knowledge Transfer, training and demonstration activities for farmers, advisors and students.
This initiative would also complement Teagasc’s current research and knowledge transfer activities to improve the economic sustainability and environmental footprint of the Irish sheep sector.
I am committed to continue supporting sheep farmers with targeted supports to promote a resilient and sustainable sheep sector. In Budget 2026, I secured an allocation of €42m to the sheep sector to continue existing dedicated supports, including €20m for the multi-annual Sheep Improvement Scheme and €22m for the annual National Sheep Welfare Scheme.
In addition, there are many other multi-annual schemes available under the current CAP Strategic Plan, such as basic income payments as well as agri-environment and organic farming schemes, which are particularly significant for sheep farmer incomes.
