John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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457. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 776 of 17 January 2017, if the updated strategic rhododendron management plan has been finalised; her views on the fact that the spread of rhododendron is accelerating faster than current resources can combat and is seriously threatening the indigenous natural flora and fauna of Killarney National Park; if she will increase resources and funding to ensure that the national park is protected for the enjoyment of generations to come; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33690/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Parliamentary Question No 776 of 17 January last. My Department has invested heavily in tackling this invasive species, the control of which is difficult, costly, and labour intensive. The management of the dynamic and aggressive Rhododendron ponticumis a long-standing on-going programme in the National Park. In the past, approximately 3,000 of the over 10,000 hectares in the Park were, to some extent, affected. My Department remains of the opinion that the existing management programme has made significant inroads into the problem with approx. 2,000 of the 3,000 hectares, involving some 40 different sites, under effective control.

The on-going programme of works, at this time, is comprised of four primary elements:

i.the initial clearance and follow-up maintenance work by contractors;

ii. on-going maintenance work by volunteers and students;

iii. a Rhododendron eradication management contract; and,

iv. on-going work by NPWS staff including co-ordination, research, and monitoring.

Since 2011, the Department has invested over €700k to tackle rhododendron clearance in Killarney National Park and in 2016 the Department spent close to €210k on clearance. An updated Strategic Rhododendron Management Plan has been finalised and the Department has issued a Request for Tender (RFT) inviting suitably qualified vendors for the term of four years to be included on the Department’s Rhododendron Ponticum Eradication and/or Maintenance programme. €240,000 has already been budgeted for Rhododendron clearance in Killarney National Park this year.

In addition, in 2016 my Department spent over €2m in Killarney National Park (including Killarney House). This represents the largest apportionment of my Department’s overall budget for National Parks and Reserves and reflects the commitment and the value that my Department places on the Park.