Over 900 farmers have applied to take part in the new Hen Harrier programme which was announced on 8 December last year, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed.

Responding to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil spokesperson for agriculture Charlie McConalogue, Minister Creed outlined the number of applicants received from each county.

The top five counties were:

1. Clare – 214

2. Limerick – 179

3. Galway – 162

4. Kerry – 132

5. Tipperary – 80

The target number of the participants for the €25m scheme is roughly 1,200, which means that with 910 applications already received, there are a number of places remaining for farmers interested in the scheme.

Minister Creed said: “This level of response shows that farmers in the targeted designated areas welcome this scheme and I am glad that the information events organised and delivered by the Hen Harrier team to farmers have generated such interest.”

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Spaces snapped up on Hen Harrier programme

Hundreds of farmers have applied to enter the new scheme and the quota for participants has almost been reached.