Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on research on the mink problem in view of the potential damage that a further growth in population could cause; if he will introduce a bounty for mink; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41857/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Wild mink are not protected species under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2010 and they can be controlled by farmers, landowners and others.

A study commissioned by my Department, and published in 2009, estimated the population of wild mink in the State could reach a total of between 20,500 and 33,500 individuals, and identified ground-nesting birds as the species most vulnerable to mink predation. In this regard, my Department is concentrating its resources on protecting the nesting sites of rare and threatened bird species, including red-throated diver, corncrake, grey partridge, waders and terns, from a range of predators, including mink. My Department undertook predator control programmes on land it owns or manages in recent years. €92,000 was spent in 2011 and a budget of €140,000 was provided in 2012. However, this covers other predatory species as well as the mink, including also grey crow, magpie and fox.

I also provided €20,000 to the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) to stimulate increased control of mink by game shooting clubs. I consider that this offers a useful addition to the measures already being taken by my Department. While feral mink are found in most parts of the country, I requested that, as far as possible, special attention should be given to the counties of Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Kerry, where my Department has also concentrated its efforts. The scheme is operated by the NARGC, with a verification process agreed with my Department.