Written answers

Tuesday, 29 April 2025

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Hare Coursing

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1173. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for a breakdown of the costs and work hours over the past five years associated with National Parks and Wildlife Service rangers monitoring hare coursing meetings; and if he will acknowledge that a ban on this bloodsport would allow these resources to be directed towards urgent conservation matters. [18875/25]

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Coursing events are monitored by staff of the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department, where possible, to ensure that conditions of the licences issued are being met. Below is a table showing the number of coursing meetings monitored by NPWS staff over the past four seasons:

Year Number Monitored by NPWS
2024/2025 45
2023/2024 45
2022/2023 30
2021/2022 25
Given the range of hours spent and salary scales of various staff members monitoring these events, a total cost is not available.

I have no plans to withdraw the current licences.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.