Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1211. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the soil sampling submission will begin again, and for how long it will be open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56833/23]
View answerI was delighted to announce last October the opening of the second phase of the Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme. This programme opened for applications on 16th October and closed on 10th November 2023. In total 7,000 applicants were approved to participate in the programme.
The Irish Soil Expert Consortium has commenced soil sampling and aims to get the majority of the farms sampled in quarter 1 of this year. Farms that are not sampled in quarter 1 will be sampled in quarters 3 and 4 of this year.
