Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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266. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the National Parks and Wildlife Service may estimate the strength of the hare population in the country; if county or regional variations exist in the dispersal of the species; if there are discernible trends to be noticed in hare numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42531/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is the only hare present in the State and is found throughout the country. It is classified as a “protected species” under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 as well as being listed in Annex V of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). Under Article 17 of the Directive Member States are obliged to report to the European Commission on the status of listed habitats and species every six years. Each species is assessed according to its range across Ireland, the population, the quality of its habitat and its future prospects. The Irish Hare was given a favourable conservation status in the Report on “The Status of European Union Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland” which was submitted to the EU in 2013. The full technical report is available on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department, www.npws.ie.

Population figures therein are based on the most recent national survey from 2007. These estimates suggest that the population hares in the Republic of Ireland was approximately 233,000 in early 2006 and 535,000 in early 2007. Such significant inter-annual fluctuations in species population are expected, based on hare reproduction patterns and these occur in other countries with hare species. In suitable weather conditions hares may have second litters, bringing significant population increases in good years whereas in poor years with low breeding success and high mortality, populations can fall significantly.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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267. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the growth in the numbers of foxes in the country, not least in urban areas, if the National Parks and Wildlife section of her Department has assessed the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42532/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The fox is one of the most common and widely distributed mammals in Ireland. It is not a protected species and no national census has been undertaken. Data collated on the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s website, however, shows that it is found in every county of Ireland and has adapted to both rural and urban habitats. Like all wild animals, their populations will fluctuate naturally.