2604. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will increase funding in 2026 for the tillage expansion and sustainability scheme in order to underpin viability and expansion of the sector.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57268/26]

This Government recognises the importance of the tillage sector, the challenges it currently faces, and the need to support its sustainable development.

My Department is providing at least €50 million in support to the tillage sector in 2026 through the Protein Aid Scheme, the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) and the National Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme.

This includes €30 million in new funding secured in Budget 2026 for the National Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme, with payments under the Scheme issued in March.

More recently, in response to the exceptional pressure arising from the sudden increase in the cost of Marked Gas Oil (MGO), the Government allocated additional finance to provide meaningful income support for farmers, contractors and fishers.

Again this year, I have committed to accepting all applicants into the Straw Incorporation Measure to give tillage farmers a further economic boost. There is however flexibility for farmers to withdraw from the scheme in certain circumstances, for example where straw is required for livestock, to safeguard supply across all sectors.

The Farming for Water EIP has a budget of €60 million to support targeted on-farm additional measures to improve water quality, including establishment of cover crops. The tillage sector is also being supported under other schemes, including the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme, ACRES and the Organic Farming Scheme.

I will continue to work with the tillage sector and provide targeted support in line with budgetary allocations given the importance of the sector within the wider agricultural industry. In advance of Budget 2027, I will be engaging with agri-food stakeholders, and all pre-Budget submissions will be taken into consideration in developing proposals for the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation on expenditure.