374. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of restoring the cuts to the rate of payment for the beef welfare scheme and the sheep welfare scheme to €75 per calf and €13 per ewe. [48439/26]

In Budget 2026, I secured an allocation of €131m for the livestock sector, which will ensure the continuation of existing dedicated supports, including €54 million for the nationally funded beef welfare, dairy beef weighing and sheep welfare schemes.

These annual schemes will largely contain the same practical straightforward actions that were popular last year with one timely modification. Bluetongue vaccination is now being included as an eligible action in both the 2026 beef and sheep welfare schemes.

The popularity of the three national schemes last year underlines the straightforward, practical and beneficial measures put in place. Adjustments to payment rates are provided for in scheme rules to ensure that total expenditure remains within allocated budgets in the event of oversubscription.

The 2026 National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) has a budget of €22m and is currently operational. The closing date for applications was 9 June 2026. The 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme (BWS) has a budget of €28m and is expected to open in mid-August. It is only when all applications are received, options selected and actions carried out that the budgetary position will be clear.

The maintenance of these dedicated schemes demonstrates my commitment to providing meaningful supports aimed at promoting a viable, resilient and sustainable drystock sector.