Leitrim farmers urged to apply for €100 million sheep scheme

Year 4 of the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) is now open to new entrants, with the five-year, €100 million scheme providing financial support to sheep farmers who take additional steps to improve the health and welfare of their flocks.

Under the scheme, farmers can receive up to €12 per breeding ewe per annum, with total supports rising to as much as €25 per ewe when combined with the National Sheep Welfare Scheme, which has a €22 million allocation in 2026.

Leitrim councillor, James Gilmartin said: “This is a very important scheme for sheep farmers across our region. It provides practical financial support to farmers who are already working hard to maintain high animal welfare standards, while also encouraging further improvements that benefit both farmers and their flocks.”

Cllr Gilmartin highlighted the real, on-the-ground impact of the scheme, noting that it supports simple but highly effective measures that can significantly improve flock performance and reduce losses. “These supports are not just theoretical—they are about real actions on farms that make a difference every day. For example, farmers can carry out targeted parasite control to reduce disease, use mineral supplementation to improve ewe and lamb health, and ensure proper body condition scoring to manage nutrition more effectively.

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Other measures include scanning ewes to better manage lambing, improving lambing facilities to reduce stress and mortality, and implementing vaccination programmes to prevent common diseases. These actions lead to stronger, healthier lambs, lower mortality rates, and improved productivity overall.”

He added that such measures also have wider benefits:“By improving animal health and welfare, farmers can reduce veterinary costs, improve efficiency, and ultimately strengthen the sustainability of their farms. At the same time, these actions contribute to better food quality and reinforce Ireland’s reputation for high standards in agriculture.”

Cllr Gilmartin is encouraging all eligible farmers to apply:“I would strongly encourage both existing and new sheep farmers to take advantage of this opportunity. The application process is straightforward, and the financial support available can make a meaningful difference over the course of the scheme.”

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The Sheep Improvement Scheme is co-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the European Union under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027.

Concluding, Cllr Gilmartin said: “This scheme is a clear demonstration of continued support for the sheep sector. It recognises the vital role that sheep farming plays in sustaining rural communities and ensures that farmers are supported in delivering the highest standards of animal welfare into the future.”

Applications for the scheme opened on 25 March 2026 and will close at 23:59 on 29 April 2026. Applications must be submitted online via agfood.ie.