The scheme is open to farmers who: - Own or have leasehold on the proposed site - Have a minimum of 5 hectares declared under Single Farm Payment or Area Aid - Have between 10 and 200 production units in total and have a minimum of 50 ewes at the time of application, in the case of Teagasc Production Partnerships however, the maximum of 200 production units shall be multiplied by the number of partners - Provide bank details to allow payment by electronic fund transfer.

Applications for aid will be assessed in accordance with the following criteria in order of priority:

• Size of the breeding flock
• Percentage of production units derived from sheep
• The proposed cost of the project by the applicant (preference for costs lower than the Department's Reference Costs)
• Age of applicant (priority to young farmers between the ages of 18-35 years of age)
• Participant in Sheep Ireland breed improvement programme
• Priority to applicants where part of the holding is in a Less Favoured Area (LFA)

The maximum aid payable is 40% up to a limit of €10,000 per holding. The Department's definition of mobile is "equipment which can be transported using a trailer unit, attachable wheels or tractor three point linkage. The equipment shall not be concreted, bolted or permanently fixed in place". Grant-aid will be calculated on the lowest of the following costs:

• The Departments Reference Costings applicable at the date of approval
• The total of the invoices marked "paid", net of VAT
• The cost of the project proposed by the applicant as indicated on his/her application form

Further information can be found by getting in touch with us at 074 9130772.