Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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293. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding land designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44904/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I would like to clarify at the outset that my Department has no role in the designation of lands.  That function is exercised through the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.  The question of compensation for designation does not arise, therefore, in the context of any schemes or measures introduced by my Department. That is entirely a matter for the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to decide upon.

That said, many of these designations are for species or habitats whose conservation is encouraged under various schemes operated by my Department, such as GLAS, the Burren Programme or some of the newer locally led schemes being rolled out at present.  This is the case for the Hen Harrier where affected farmers can attract payments of up to €7,000 per annum under GLAS. The new Locally Led Hen Harrier Programme will also reward participating farmers working to save this endangered bird. 

However, all such schemes operated by my Department are aimed at active farmers and therefore the landowner mentioned in this case is not, unfortunately, eligible or indeed equipped to participate in the type of conservation work envisaged.