Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Senator Pippa Hackett):

I confirm that 867 applications have been received with 33 in the first two tranches and it is increasing all the time. I do not have the figure for rejections. I can find that and get it to the Deputy. This is a generous scheme which supports women in farming. The eligibility criteria are broad, covering almost all female farmers. We have to be careful that it is not subject to abuse with people saying that they are female farmers when they are not in fact one of the primary people who exercise long-term control over the farm itself. That is why the eligibility criteria are there in the first place. It is good that female farmers are engaging with it. The three tranches have shown a healthy application rate with female farmers and I hope that continues.

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