John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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307. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on plans to commission a new nest protection service for the Slieve Bloom mountains, including providing details on the objectives and scope, tendering, and timeline for commencement of the proposed service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10482/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is currently considering tenders for a single-year Hen Harrier nest protection service for the Slieve Bloom Mountains Special Protection Area, during the 2025 breeding season. This is required in an effort to improve the fledging success of the local Hen Harrier population. A number of tenders were received and are currently being assessed by the NPWS. Subject to this assessment and satisfactory provision of any post tender documentation, it is anticipated that a contract will be offered in the coming weeks.

The primary objective of this project is to reduce the negative impact of nest predation on the net breeding productivity of Hen Harriers in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. This is accomplished by the systematic management of nest predators during the critical period when Hen Harriers, their eggs, and unfledged chicks are most vulnerable to predation. The dynamics of breeding Hen Harriers and the variables of predation can vary from year-to-year and from site-to-site. Thus an adaptive management approach will be taken. Accordingly, the systematic control of nest predators will continue until all chicks have fledged their nests.