Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of goat farmers registered with her Department; the size of the Irish goat herd; and her Department's policy in relation to the future development of this industry. [24566/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Sheep and Goats Census, conducted by my Department in December 2006, indicated that there were 296 goat farmers in Ireland and that the national herd stood at 6,194 head. In accordance with the European Communities (Goat Identification) Regulation 2005 (S.I. 792 of 2005), goats are registered under the National Goat Identification Scheme for animal health purposes.

Goat farming serves a small niche market for dairy and meat products. My Department provides grant-aid to eligible farmers for, inter alia, construction of goat housing, handling facilities and fencing under the Farm Improvement Scheme introduced last July. The maximum eligible investment ceiling under the Scheme is €120,000 and the standard grant-rate is 40%. Aid for fencing is limited to an overall eligible investment ceiling of €20,000.