472. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the maximum national co-funding under the European Commission's recently announced €540 million fertiliser support package for farmers affected by the ongoing fertiliser crisis. [66619/26]

The European Commission announced at the end of July 2026 an EU exceptional aid package for farmers impacted by increased fertiliser and energy costs associated with the Middle East crisis. While, as indicated by the Deputy, the overall EU package totalled €540m, the amount of that package available to Ireland is €15.3m.

My Department is working to develop a scheme to disperse this funding to farmers most impacted by increased input costs, including fertiliser costs. The EU Regulation requires that payments be made to farmers by 28 February 2027.

The EU Regulation also provides that Member States may grant additional national support up to a maximum of 200% of the corresponding amount set out for each Member State in the Regulation. The consideration of any national funding to top-up EU exceptional aid funding will be considered as part of 2027 Budget discussions.

The details of the proposed scheme will be announced when finalised and approved.