I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 and 312 together.

The large-scale rollout of badger vaccination commenced in late 2019. Every year more and more of the countryside is designated as vaccination zones.

This is reflected in the numbers of badgers captured for vaccination in these zones rising from an initial figure of 1,937 badgers in 2019, to 4,698 badgers in 2020. This figure rose again in 2021 to 6,586 badgers, with a further 7,244 badgers captured for vaccination in 2022.

Table 1: The number of badgers captured under the badger vaccination programme from 2019 to 2022

Estimated badger populations have been suggested by research conducted by the NPWS and other scientific investigations. Unfortunately, there is a wide variation in estimates for the size of the badger population in Ireland.

A recent study in 2021 suggested that the mean estimated population size was 92,096 badgers (5–95th percentile, 67,188–118,881). While a previous study carried out by the NPWS, 1995, suggested a badger population of 200,000 animals.

The wide variation in badger population estimate is most likely due to several factors. The badger itself is a highly secretive and nocturnal mammal making direct sightings and individual population counting impractical. Methods of population estimate include indirect wildlife modelling techniques. Badger sett identification is an important element of an estimated population count. Typically, a mean average group size within the sett is determined depending on habitat quality.

Unfortunately, with such a wide variation in the estimated badger population figures, it is difficult to offer a percentage of vaccinated badgers in relation to the total population, with any degree of accuracy.

The badger vaccination programme is operated by badger vaccination teams that work on a geographical area. The vaccination areas continue to expand, so that an increasing number of badgers are captured and vaccinated under the programme. Within the vaccination areas, two badger sweeps are conducted each year. This is to ensure that we capture and vaccinate as many badgers as possible within each area.

The badger vaccination programme is dependent on finding badger setts and the vaccination of badgers from within these setts. It is therefore hugely important that farmers assist my Department and report any badger activity or badger setts on their farms. My Department have developed the Badger Activity App available to download from www.bovinetb.ie which enables farmers to notify the department about badger setts and badger activity on their farms. Badger sett notification by farmers and landowners will enable the Department to effectively vaccinate even more badgers throughout the country.

It has been an outstandingly successful programme which has benefited clubs in all localities and clubs in disadvantaged communities even more, from my long association.

They cannot afford to draw down the money.

It happens in other Departments.