Written answers

Tuesday, 21 February 2017

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Deer Culls

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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374. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the solutions her Department proposes to take to tackle the issue of wild deer in County Donegal, in view of the fact that they are causing road safety and disease control concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8597/17]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Wild deer in the State are protected under the Wildlife Acts. They can be found throughout the countryside and are present in many parts of the country. 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 28 February, depending on the species and gender of deer. My Department carries out localised annual deer counts on State lands such as the National Parks. 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 preventing road accidents involving deer, my Department is of the view that improving sight lines for motorists as well as improved (and possibly larger) signage is likely to be the most effective measure to assist motorists to be vigilant when driving through areas where populations of deer can be expected.

In relation to deer policy in general, my Department, together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, published Deer Management in Ireland – A Framework for Action in 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 .

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