Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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84. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is concerned about the scarcity of hares in the area of Roseberry, County Kildare, as highlighted in the attached December 2024 return (details supplied), which stated that "only two courses run–hare stock low this year". [37301/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish hare is protected under the Irish Wildlife Acts and under the EU’s Habitats Directive. As such Ireland is required to ensure the favourable conservation status of the species.

The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department undertakes regular monitoring surveys of hares nationally. From their work, and the results of surveys in other countries, it is clear that hare numbers vary naturally from year to year. Low numbers of hares in a particular area in a particular year are not necessarily a cause for concern. The hare is currently considered to be in favourable conservation status. The NPWS will continue to monitor the status of the species both nationally and regionally.