John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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619. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress that has been made to control the spread of rhodedendron in Killarney National Park; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8129/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My Department is committed to tackling the spread of invasive species in Killarney National Park, most particularly Rhododendron ponticum,the control of which is difficult, costly, and labour intensive. The Deputy will be aware that my Department has, for many years, pursued a very vigorous multi-faceted approach to the control of rhododendron in Killarney National Park.

The strategy and programmes forming our approach to tackling this invasive species are based upon sound science and are subject to monitoring, periodic review and adaptation. The Department is committed to continuing this work with ongoing monitoring and review importantly ensuring it is informed by scientific basis. In 2017 the Department spent nearly €300k, a significant portion of its national budget, on the eradication of rhododendron in Killarney National Park.

The Department has in its employ a number of specialist staff who advise and report on the Rhododendron management in Killarney National Park. In the past, approximately 3,000 of the over 10,000 hectares in Killarney National Park were, to some extent, affected. The 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;

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

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

3. a Rhododendron eradication management contract; and,

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