Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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369. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention and that of his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service has been drawn to a project undertaken by students in a school (details supplied) in relation to the escalating problematic behaviours of high density urban seagull colonies aggressively foraging in the school; his views on whether it is unacceptable and egregiously contrary to the legitimate interests of the health and safety of schoolchildren and staff in any school to be exposed to such serious and escalating risks; if he will request his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to set out detail the level of priority and the implementation dates for all measures it plans to take towards elimination of such risks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8110/22]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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370. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a newspaper article (details supplied); the status of the newspaper article and the quoted Ministerial advice to schools; if he will provide this Deputy with a copy of the advice being given to schools that is quoted in the article; his views on whether notwithstanding serious damage to buildings by nesting seagulls, that school children and staff are vulnerable to attack and at real risk of serious injury from urban seagull colonies which may or may not be nesting in the schools aggressively foraging in schools; and when he, his Department or the National Parks and Wildlife Service plan to provide advice and assistance to schools in order to protect children and staff from serious injury risks to their person as distinct from damage to the buildings. [8111/22]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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371. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention and that of his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service has been drawn to the fact that the CEO of Dublin City Council has described urban seagulls as a menace in the city (details supplied); his views on whether a coherent, comprehensive and consistent policy for the management and control of urban seagulls needs to be publicly and transparently articulated by him, his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in partnership with local authorities that are experiencing problems with urban seagulls; if a commitment will be given for a date for the publication and implementation of such a policy; and if not, if he will provide the evidence that he is relying upon for his position. [8112/22]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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372. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is satisfied that his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service is fully compliant with the legal obligations (details supplied) not only to protect but also to manage and control urban seagulls and wild birds generally. [8113/22]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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373. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is satisfied that his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service has met and continues to meet its responsibilities towards properly advising him in regard to the obligation to control urban seagulls nationally particularly in areas in which high density herring gull colonies have been shown to be out of control and that are proliferating unmanaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8114/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 369 to 373, inclusive, together.

As I have outlined previously, my officials have engaged with a number of bodies in order to move the recommendations of the first interim report of the Consultative Committee on urban gulls forward. My Department is awaiting a response to these communications.

I am not aware of the school projects mentioned but I welcome the involvement of young people in issues to do with wildlife in their area. As all affected schools can apply for a licence under Section 42 of the Wildlife Acts to remove nests and eggs from buildings, on a case by case basis, where serious damage has occurred. A licence may also be applied for under Section 22(9)(d) to take the nests or eggs of protected wild birds for other purposes. In the past three years, only one school has applied for a licence under S42 of the Wildlife Acts to remove nests.

The Deputy will also be aware that a pilot derogation is in place for a specified area in relation to the taking of nests and eggs, and my Department is considering the implication of extending same.

My Department is reviewing the Wild Birds Declaration wording in particular around the legal aspects of its implementation.

The results of the National Gulls Survey 2021 will inform ongoing work and engagement with stakeholders and communities to address concerns or conflict issues.