Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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95. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of sheep allowed on The Curragh; and how much acreage is allowed for the sheep. [36021/24]

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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96. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the turbary rights for the grazing of sheep on The Curragh, County Kildare, are reassigned each year. [36022/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together.

Grazing of sheep on the Curragh Plains is permitted under the Curragh of Kildare Acts of 1870, 1961 and 1969. “Claims” in this regard belong to various land owners in townlands surrounding the Curragh of Kildare, and are not reassigned as such. I am advised that the current available number of sheep claims is 5,995. The Department of Defence requests farmers to complete forms to identify each year the numbers of sheep claims they are using in order to ensure that “rights of pasture” can be verified.

Sheep are allowed graze on all Curragh lands with the exception of the Defence Forces Training Centre (Curragh Camp) and other enclosed lands such as the Curragh Racecourse. I am advised that a previous review in this regards estimates the area available for grazing is 1,330 hectares (Approx 3286 Acres). To clarify, pursuant to S.I. No. 40/1951 - Turbary Rights Order, 1951 there are no turbary rights on the Curragh.