A Department of Agriculture spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal this week that 23 “eligible” applicants for the Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS) are yet to receive payment. The spokesperson said that this is mainly as a result of outstanding queries in relation to “administrative checks”. Advance payments under year two of the SWS issued at the end of November, with 18,607 applicants receiving €15.1m. Balancing payments in the scheme are expected to commence in the second quarter of 2019. Year three of the scheme is due to open in the coming weeks and there will be an opportunity for new entrants to join.