John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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599. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether, as requested previously, he has moved to include the Glenasmole Valley in south county Dublin on the border with Wicklow in the deer control programme, which includes fifteen ‘hotspots’ nationally; when is this likely to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42856/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the importance of the sustainable management of our national deer population for agriculture, as well as for our nature ecosystems. The increased populations of deer in some parts of the country has led to a reduction in biodiversity and an increase in road traffic accidents. In response to this I have set up the Deer Management Strategy Group, along with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This group includes representatives of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and my Department, and is led by an independent chair.

On foot of a recommendation of the strategy group, a public consultation on the management of deer was launched late last year. This was the first major public consultation on the impact of deer and it received over 1,500 submissions.

A report was published by the Group in December 2023. The report made recommendations across a wide range of issues, from hunter training and forest design to land use management and the venison market. The 16 recommended actions are presented in the form of short and medium-term implementation targets. The Deer Management Strategy Group continues to meet regularly to progress these recommendations towards implementation.

Two of the main recommendations are the appointment of a deer management programme manager and the establishment of local deer management units, in respect of which a procurement process is currently in progress.

The issuing of licences for the control of deer is an operational matter for the National Parks and Wildlife Service.