Farming: Minister announces opening of Sheep Improvement Scheme to new entrants
When both the SIS and the National Sheep Welfare Scheme, which has an allocation of €22 million in 2026, are combined, they collectively offer financial support of up to €25 per ewe for undertaking measures, which will improve the welfare of the national flock.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has announced the opening of year four of the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) to new entrants.
The five-year, €100 million SIS provides financial support to farmers for taking extra steps to improve the welfare of their flock.
Commenting on the opening of the scheme, Minister Heydon said: “I am delighted to announce that applications for entry to year four of the Sheep Improvement Scheme are now open to qualifying new entrants.
"This is the fourth year of the SIS, which builds on the progress made by the Sheep Welfare Scheme in the previous CAP and indeed the last three years of the Sheep Improvement Scheme too.
"This scheme, which facilitates an annual opening for new entrants, demonstrates the continuing commitment of this Government to the sheep sector.”
When both the SIS and the National Sheep Welfare Scheme, which has an allocation of €22 million in 2026, are combined, they collectively offer financial support of up to €25 per ewe for undertaking measures, which will improve the welfare of the national flock.
The Sheep Improvement Scheme is funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027 with a budget allocation of €20 million per year over the course of the CSP. Farmers get up to €12 per breeding ewe per annum for completing flock welfare measures.
Applications must be made on agfood.ie. The application opening date is Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Application closing date is 23.59pm on April 29, 2026.
