Full payment
Up to €13 a ewe
This is a one-year scheme, separate from the Sheep Improvement Scheme. You must apply for each one on its own.
Quick facts
- Full payment
- Up to €13 a ewe
- Two actions only
- Up to €8 a ewe
- 2026 applications
- Closed (late deadline 9 June 2026)
- Actions due
- 13 October or 24 November 2026
- 2027
- Continued support confirmed in Budget 2027
Who can get it — the full rules
You must have an active sheep (ovine) herd number with the Department. You must also have made a valid 2026 BISS application.
For 2026, you must also have sent in your 2025 National Sheep Census by 15 February 2026.
How much it pays
Payment is per eligible breeding ewe. You get up to €13 a ewe if you pick and complete two Category A actions and one Category B action.
If you only applied for two Category A actions, the most you get is up to €8 a ewe. Payments are cut if you do not complete all your actions.
The actions
You must pick 2 actions from Category A and 1 from Category B to get the full rate.
Category A (mandatory): shearing, body condition scoring of ewes, and vaccination of ewes. For vaccination you can choose clostridial or bluetongue vaccines.
Category B (optional): footbathing, or plunge dipping to control external parasites.
Where things stand for 2026
Applications were made online through agfood.ie
You applied yourself, or through an approved FAS advisor acting for you.
The 2026 application window has closed
The deadline was Friday 15 May 2026, and the late deadline was Tuesday 9 June 2026.
Complete your chosen actions on time
Actions were due by 13 October 2026, or by 24 November 2026 if you picked the later date when applying.
Expect a later payment if you chose 24 November
With the later completion date, payment will not issue until January 2027 at the earliest.
Things to watch
The completion date you picked covers all your actions, and it cannot be changed after you applied.
For 2027, the Department says it is keeping €131 million for livestock schemes, including continued support for this scheme and the Sheep Improvement Scheme. The 2027 terms and dates are not published yet.
Phone, forms and how long it takes
- Agfood helpdesk (PAC, password or log-in problems)
- 049 4368288
- Agfood helpdesk (PAC, password or log-in problems)
- agfood@agriculture.gov.ie
- Apply online (when a scheme year opens)
- www.agfood.ie
From the official pages (gov.ie), re-checked every night. Numbers and times can change, so check the official page before you send anything.
Common questions
Sheep Welfare Scheme 2026: how much does it pay?
Up to €13 per eligible breeding ewe for two Category A actions and one Category B action. Two Category A actions alone pay up to €8 a ewe.
Can I still apply for the 2026 Sheep Welfare Scheme?
No. Applications closed on 15 May 2026, and late applications closed on 9 June 2026.
When is the Sheep Welfare Scheme payment?
If you chose the later completion date of 24 November 2026, payment will not issue until January 2027 at the earliest.
Is the Sheep Welfare Scheme the same as the Sheep Improvement Scheme?
No. They are separate schemes and you must apply for each one separately.
Will there be a Sheep Welfare Scheme in 2027?
Budget 2027 confirmed continued support for the National Sheep Welfare Scheme in 2027. Details are not yet published.