Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 516: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for a survey of deer populations in the Wicklow Hills in view of the increase in deer numbers in the national parks in Wicklow, the lack of data on the populations of deer and the need for this data to undertake a management plan. [22684/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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While my Department does not have precise information on the number of wild deer in County Wicklow, estimates suggest a figure in excess of 40,000 animals.

With regard to Wicklow Mountains National Park, which is managed by my Department, regular deer counts have been carried out since 1995 with the following results.

These figures show that the deer population in the upland areas within Wicklow Mountains National Park is naturally stable and is not undergoing the same expansion that appears to have occurred outside the national park area. Under the Wicklow Mountains National Park Management Plan 2005-2009, targets for deer densities within the national park are set at a level consistent with sustainable grazing. Controlled culls are carried out in certain areas of the park to reduce densities to target levels. Other management techniques to reduce the impact of deer, such as fencing and removal of conifers, are also used.

My Department is represented on the Wicklow Deer Management Group which also includes representatives of Coillte, Wicklow IFA, Hunting Groups and the Irish Timber Growers Association. The overall aim of this group is to promote and develop an integrated approach to deer management in the county.