Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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746. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost to the State per mink culled through State schemes in recent years; his plans to increase the number of mink culled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37987/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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My Department has taken an active role in mink control in recent years, concentrating 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. €92,000 was spent in 2011 with a further €135,000 spent in 2012. Expenditure in 2013 is likely to be similar to the 2012 figure. However, as this covers many predatory species, including mink, grey crow, magpie and fox, it is not possible to isolate the exact amount spent on the culling of mink. I also provided €20,000 in 2011 to the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) to stimulate increased control of mink by game shooting clubs.

My Department will continue predator control in key areas, as I consider it has been necessary and useful, and has almost certainly been a contributory factor to the increase in corncrake numbers recorded this year.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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747. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will indicate the number received by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2013 relating to corncrakes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37988/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to say that the provisional census result for corncrakes in 2013 shows a substantial increase. As the birds are very difficult to see, the surveyors record calling males. The 2013 results are set out in the Table below:

This is the highest figure for over 20 years and I thank all those, including the farmers and other landowners, who have helped conserve the species. While I am cautiously optimistic about this increase, I am aware that previous population increases were not sustained and so my Department will continue to work with our partners on the necessary conservation measures.