576. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of applicants for the badger biosecurity scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47235/26]

577. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of successful applicants for the badger biosecurity scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47236/26]

578. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of successful applicants and rejected applicants per county for the badger biosecurity scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47237/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 576, 577 and 578 together.

The On-Farm Badger Biosecurity Scheme closed on 7 June 2026 for applications from farmers. My Department is currently processing farmer applications received and will have a final number in the coming weeks following all administrative and eligibility checks. The maximum number of applications has not been exceeded.

The number of eligible Co-operatives and Agri-Retail Merchants is 43, the list is available on my Department’s website at www.bovinetb.ie

My Department will write to all successful applicants confirming their eligibility to participate in the scheme. Each eligible applicant will be provided with an approval letter and an approval number by my Department which must be shown to the Co-operative/Agri-Retail merchant when purchasing eligible items. Eligible items can be purchased by successful applicants from participating Co-operatives and Agri-Retail merchants from 1 July 2026 to 31 August 2026.