Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1132. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Deer Management Strategy Group, set up by his predecessor is considering the total removal of the Japanese Sika species to protect native red deer and native oak forests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30235/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Deer Management Strategy group was established to develop a strategy for the sustainable management of deer in Ireland. The Group comprised representatives from my Department, National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Coillte. It published a report into “Developing a Sustainable Deer Management Strategy for Ireland” in December 2023.

The report listed 16 Actions, 8 of which are recommended in the short term and 8 of which are recommended in the medium term. These recommended actions address a wide range of issues from hunter training and forest design to land use management and the venison market. The report concluded that a formal structure was required to manage deer in Ireland, which involved the appointment of a Programme Manager to implement the recommendations of the report and the establishment of local deer management units in known hotspot areas.

My Department is committed to progressing the implementation of the actions identified by the Irish Deer Management Strategy Group (IDMSG) in this report. The Programme Manager will work closely with the IDMSG, my Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in prioritising and implementation of the short term recommendations identified in the report. During the implementation of the national deer management programme, the Programme Manager in conjunction with the IDMSG, my Department and NPWS will identify any further actions necessary. These actions will be confined to deer population management in the context of the terms of reference of the IDMSG.

In relation to Sika deer, there is ongoing work being done at EU level in relation whether or not Sika deer will be classified as an invasive species. Currently Sika deer are not classed as an invasive species. However, one of the objectives of the deer management programme is to protect native woodlands. A reduction in deer density in specific areas will help to protect native woodlands. If Sika deer are contributing to this issue, they will be part of the cull in the areas covered by the deer management units.