Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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691. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is considerable concern over the alleged mismanagement of native red deer in Killarney National Park and their future conservation status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42364/18]

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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692. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the management plan that is in place and the way in which many sika and red deer are to be culled in the coming months by her Department's staff in Killarney National Park; the qualified staff available as conservation rangers with specific responsibility for the management of the herd and thereby reducing the impact on the park's wider ecosystem; if she will ensure that they are culled in a gradual manner with regard to animal safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42365/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 691 and 692 together.

I can assure the Deputy that the deer population in Killarney National Park is carefully monitored and managed by qualified staff in my Department. Every year, as part of this on-going management of deer populations within the Park, deer numbers may need to be reduced. Culls in Killarney are undertaken following consideration of a number of reports, population surveys and scientific advise. The cull in Killarney is carried out by trained, experienced and dedicated NPWS staff in a professional manner and is based upon scientific research. As part of this managed process, some 120 deer have culled since January 2018. It is not possible to estimate how many more deer will be culled in 2018 due to weather and other factors. The following points should be noted:

- The 2018 cull was decided upon following consultation with NPWS professional staff, including scientific input as required.

- Shooting of deer in the Park is carried out only by NPWS professional staff members, who are fully trained, competent, expert and licenced in the use of firearms.

- The selection of deer shot is in accordance with normal deer management protocols. The deer are shot humanely by qualified NPWS marksmen.

- The remains are processed and disposed of in full compliance with the applicable Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine guidelines, and with the involvement, as appropriate, of officials from that Department.

There is a significant challenge in attempting to balance the demands of agriculture, forestry and conservation with the need to ensure that deer populations occupying the same land resources are managed at sustainable levels, and in a responsible and ethical manner. Ultimately, however, where deer species are increasing in range and numbers, depending on the annual count and instances of damage caused by deer to habitats (especially woodland), culls need to be carried out to ensure that deer populations do not reach levels that would have negative ecological consequences.

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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693. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is considerable concern regarding unnecessary vilification of wild deer which is not based on factual scientific data and that some wildlife crimes against wild deer have been committed and reported to An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42366/18]

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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694. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to make adjustments to the open season for wild deer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42367/18]

Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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695. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will meet with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the issue in relation to deer management and conservation here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42368/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 693, 694 and 695 together.

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. I have no current plans to adjust this season.

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 illegal deer hunting, officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department and an Garda Siochana have powers under the Wildlife Acts to bring prosecutions for illegal deer hunting. Some 19 prosecution cases have been taken by my Department for illegal deer hunting since 2010 to date which have included cases of hunting deer out of season, hunting at night and hunting on lands without landowner permission.

I have not received an invitation for a meeting from the organisation in question but I would consider any such invitation in the context of on my diary schedule. Finally, if the Deputy has evidence of suspected crimes against deer, my Department would be very grateful for that information.