Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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636. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to set out her views on a matter relating to Killarney National Park and the issue of rhododendron infestation (details supplied). [36619/14]

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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637. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to explain the position regarding the continued reliance of her Department on the unsuitability for wider dissemination of the long-term strategic programme for the control of rhododendron ponticum in Killarney National Park (details supplied). [36620/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 636 and 637 together.

My Department carries out an annual targeted programme of works to manage the spread of the invasive species Rhododendron ponticumin Killarney National Park. The extent of the problem varies from area to area within the National Park and the programme and the control methods used are regularly reviewed and refined to respond to the dynamic and vigorous nature of the plant in order to mitigate its impact throughout the Park. While a wide range of control methods are considered for this purpose, those chosen are generally selected on the basis of optimum efficacy, having regard to the most effective use of available resources.

Since 2011, my Department has invested c. €500,000 in this programme, with an additional €100,000 invested in the programme this year. Approximately 3,000 of the 10,000 hectares in the Park were, to some extent, affected by Rhododendron infestation. My Department’s management programme has made significant inroads into the problem and now approx. 2,000 of those hectares, involving some 40 different sites, are under effective control.

The work involved is arduous and resource intensive and is carried out by outside specialist companies, Department staff and by volunteer groups under staff direction and supervision. In this regard, my Department recognises the past and continuing important contribution of volunteer groups to this work, and also the innovative work of Department staff in Killarney National Park who have been instrumental in developing new methods to control this plant.

Ultimately, the plan is to clear all Rhododendronfrom the Park. The management programme is intended to create conditions in the Park that are conducive to the protection and re-establishment of native species and, particularly, Ireland’s native woodlands. My Department is committed to this important and challenging work and will continue to engage with volunteer groups who are willing to assist my Department with its Rhododendron management programme.