Michael Cahill
Ceist:451. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being put in place to save Ireland's native honey bee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35967/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 14 May 2026
Ceisteanna (451)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department is very supportive of beekeepers and beekeeping associations in their efforts in protecting the native Irish honey bee. The Annual Grants to Irish National Beekeepers Federations which is Exchequer funded provides an annual grant to the four Irish National Beekeepers Federations. In 2025, the four national beekeeping federations received a total of €25,500 through this measure for initiatives, including the conservation of the native Irish honey bee.
The Native Irish Honey Bee Society (NIHBS) also received funding in 2021 and 2024 under my Department's Conservation of Plant and Animal Genetic Resources Scheme for projects related to the conservation of the native Irish honey bee and their application under the 2026 Scheme has been approved.
My Department also supports Irish beekeeping through the provision of grant aid for capital investments by individual beekeepers in specialised beekeeping related equipment and structures.
In addition, €121,000 was paid out under the National Apiculture Programme (NAP) in 2025 to support beekeeping through an approved applied research project.