The Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has confirmed that over 17,000 sheep farmers applied for the National Sheep Welfare Scheme.
The scheme, funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan, has a budget of €15 million.
Participants are required to complete two actions to receive the full payment of up to €8 per ewe.
Donegal was recorded to herd the largest amount of sheep in Ireland according to the latest Sheep and Goat Census.