43. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide the acreage of the Curragh, County Kildare. [43496/24]

44. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide the number of sheep grazing on the Curragh, County Kildare, for the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [43497/24]

45. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will clarify the system, if any, in place for identifying who owns any particular sheep or flock of sheep currently grazing on the Curragh, County Kildare. [43499/24]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 to 45, inclusive, together.

The Curragh Plains is approximately 4,870 acres. Grazing of sheep on the Curragh Plains is permitted under the Curragh of Kildare Acts of 1870, 1961 and 1969. “Claims” in this regard belong to various land owners in townlands surrounding the Curragh of Kildare. I am advised that the current available number of sheep claims is 5,997. The Department of Defence requests farmers to complete forms to identify each year the numbers of sheep claims they are using in order to ensure that “rights of pasture” can be verified. Once the sheep claims have been verified as correct, the Curragh brand is then applied to the sheep by the Maor. I understand that individual sheep farmer's also identify sheep with their own mark.

Sheep are allowed graze on all Curragh lands with the exception of the Defence Forces Training Centre (Curragh Camp) and other enclosed lands such as the Curragh Racecourse. I am advised that a previous review in this regard estimates the area available for grazing is approximately 3286 Acres.

The below table shows the sheep claims submitted and verified in the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024.