Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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830. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts his Department is taking to protect the endangered old Irish goat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4329/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has been proactive in terms of its engagement with the Old Irish Goat Society for over five years in assisting in a range of activities designed to conserve this breed. These include;

- funding for characterisation work such as defining a breed standard for the Old Irish Goat (OIG). This involves assessing a large number of animals physical features and characteristics.

- genotyping/DNA sampling a range of animals from across the country to assess at a molecular level whether they are OIG animals, or are of a more modern imported breed.

- Education/training/awareness raising of the unique cultural and historical aspect of the OIG

- funding studies to assess the potential benefits of the OIG in conservation grazing activities

- Funding to assist in maintaining a flock of OIG animals in a number of centres, and to carry out a targeted mating plan.

Financial support has also been provided to the Society for specific projects under the Rare breed Conservation Scheme. The Society have received €7,000 for various conservation projects since 2018.

In addition, officials are currently providing the necessary supports in assisting the Society meet the requirements of EU Animal Breeding legislation which will result is them achieving official recognition as a breed society and approval of a breeding programme for the Old Irish goat breed under this Regulation.