Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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400. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the hen harrier scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10858/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The response to the new locally led Hen Harrier Programme has been very positive, with 1,387 valid applications received up to February 28th 2018. This is a pilot project, under the European Innovation Programme, designed and managed by a locally led team and supported by my Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Recruitment of farmers into the new programme is being done on a phased basis. A selection process has been in train since December 2017 with 266 applicants offered a place so far. This process will continue throughout 2018 and into 2019.

The response to date shows that farmers in the targeted areas have welcomed the new approach, and I am glad that the information events organised and delivered by the Hen Harrier Team have generated such interest. This new programme, along with the supports already available through GLAS for farmers with hen harrier habitat, will further the conservation of the bird as well as providing an important additional income stream for farmers in designated areas.