Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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937. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to address the challenges associated with managing the wild deer population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24689/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Wild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. There is an annual open season during which deer can be legally shot under licence. The open season for deer operates generally from 1 September to the last day of February, depending on the species and gender of deer.

My Department carries out localised annual deer counts on State lands such as National Parks and I am aware that deer species are increasing in range and numbers. Where appropriate, and depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats, especially woodland, culls may be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences.

Control of deer on private property is the responsibility of landowners who may apply to my Department for a permission under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts to cull deer where this is necessary outside the annual open seasons. These permissions offer a facility whereby a person can obtain a permit, on a case by case basis, to prevent serious damage caused by individual deer on specific lands. Permissions are only issued where there is evidence of such damage.

In relation to deer policy in general, my Department, together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, publishedDeer Management in Ireland – A Framework for Actionin 2015 which recommends a series of actions on deer management and conservation in a number of areas including addressing the impact of deer in places where they are widespread. An Irish Deer Management Forum has been established to implement the various actions listed in the Report. The Forum itself comprises representatives from the main stakeholder areas such as landowners, forestry, hunting and conservation organisations as well as representatives from both Departments.