Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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269. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps the Office of Public Works is putting in place to protect deer in the Phoenix Park, given that over 21 deer were killed by cars in 2015. [1049/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works work in close co-operation with the Mammal Conservation Unit of University College Dublin in regard to the welfare of deer in the Phoenix Park. Consultation also takes place with the National Parks & Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine. The herd population is maintained at 450-550 as this is the optimum carrying capacity for the Park.

Road signage to indicate traditional deer road crossing points is in place and low speed limit signs are clearly displayed for motorists.

A number of roads have been closed to through traffic and summer weekend road closures are in place on Chesterfield Avenue which minimises deer contact with cars.

OPW records show that 16 deer were killed by cars in 2015.