Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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239. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when a deer stalking course was introduced as a prerequisite for deer hunting licences; the basis upon which the course is required; the frequency with which one must be completed; if those formerly in possession of a licence must complete the course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35879/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The introduction of mandatory certification training for first time deer hunters came as a recommendation from the original Irish Deer Management Forum in 2018 for reasons of health & safety. Since then, a standard training course syllabus was published by my Department and three course providers were subsequently approved by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), following an independent review - www.npws.ie/licencesandconsents/hunting/deer-hunting-licences-2022-2023/mandatory-certification-deer-hunters.

From the 2022-23 deer hunting season (September 1 2022) onwards, it is a requirement for first time applicants seeking a deer hunting licence under Section 29 of the Wildlife Acts to complete an approved certified deer hunting training course, and to provide evidence of same with their application.

At present, previous licence holders do not need to complete this training in order to apply for a Deer Hunting Licence.