Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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362. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if awareness signs on the dangers of Lyme disease are in place in all national parks across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1677/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The issue of Lyme disease is not one confined or specific to the National Parks. Ticks are widespread throughout the countryside and in areas of rough vegetation and forestry. They are not at all confined to National Parks, Nature Reserves or State lands. Ticks can be found on a variety of domesticated and wild animals including sheep, goats, horses, cattle, dogs, deer, rodents and various wild mammal species.

Information on Lyme Disease is on all our NPWS websites.

The issue of warning notices is a matter for the HSE/Local authorities to consider. Any such signs would need to be countywide as opposed to specifically located in particular National Parks or Nature Reserves. This is not an issue which is localised to National Parks or state lands. It is an issue throughout the countryside. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is willing to engage with the Local Authorities on any county-wide initiatives they (or the HSE) wish to propose.

Information on Lyme Disease is available from the HSE and, their booklet: www.hpsc.ie/a-/vectorborne/lymedisease/informationforthepublic/Lyme%20DL%20April2017%20-%20D2.pdf contains useful information in this regard. Annually, as part of the HSE’s National Lyme Awareness Day, the Department circulates links to HSE information on Lyme disease to all Departmental staff.