Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1061. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will introduce a new scheme to assist farmers in preserving the hen harrier in designated special protection areas; the expected cycle of time needed to ensure the preservation of the hen harrier in these areas; the proposed length of any new conservation scheme; her views that the hen harrier can survive and thrive without the introduction of such a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1568/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Hen Harrier is protected under the EU Birds Directive and 6 Special Protection Areas have been designated for the conservation of the species. The Hen Harrier remains at risk due to a number of factors, such as the reclamation of upland open habitats for agriculture, the development of some wind farms and the maturing of the large-scale forests planted in upland areas. Such activities have a serious impact on the birds’ breeding populations.

To address these issues, my Department is working with other relevant Departments on a Threat Response Plan, which is intended to provide an overall plan to improve the prospects of the Hen Harrier, while bringing clarity to wider issues, including afforestation and wind energy. The Departments will examine all of the issues at hand, including forestry consents, planning permissions for wind farms and financial supports for farmers, with a view to determining the appropriate course of further action. The Threat Response Plan will be key in ensuring the long-term conservation of the Hen Harrier.

With regard to conservation schemes, my Department is in ongoing discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine concerning a range of measures for the protection or restoration of biodiversity, including the Hen Harrier, under Ireland's next EU co-funded Rural Development Programme.