Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 5

Written Answers - Wildlife Conservation.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

16 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will report on the success of the scheme to preserve the corncrake; if she will report on the sightings in each county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6535/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

The corncrake grant scheme, operated by the Irish Wildlife Conservancy, is jointly funded by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department. Since 1992, this scheme has attracted State funding through Dúchas of £333,000, including a grant of £64,000 committed for the current year. In addition a sum of £2,500 is being provided this year to assist in the funding of a national corncrake census. The Irish Wildbird Conservancy supplies data in relation to corncrake numbers occurring in core areas not by county are set out in the following table.

Overall, the figures are disappointing and do not adequately reflect the resources and commitment to the scheme of the project partners — Dúchas, RSPB and the Irish Wildbird Conservancy. The project partners have agreed that the future strategy for corncrake conservation will be based largely on SAC compensation measures operated through the rural environment protection scheme (REPS) managed by the Department of Agriculture and Food, and through the SAC scheme managed by my Department. Discussions are continuing with conservationists, farmers representatives, the Department of Agriculture and Food and farm planners under the REP scheme to agree an appropriate prescription for corncrake friendly farming. Pending agreement on this prescription the current funding of the corncrake grant scheme will remain in place. Dúchas is also endeavouring to purchase and lease back by agreement suitable corncrake habitat for management in a corncrake friendly way. The scheme will again be reviewed at the end of the current year by the project partners to determine the best future strategy for the conservation of this important species.

Area	1995	1996	1997
Shannon Callows	63	54	54
Donegal	49	69	45
Tory	12	21	18-20
Inishbofin	27	15	12
Inishdooey	0	2	2
Moy	8	5	2
Mullet	8	10	6
West Connaught	7	8	9
Core Area Total	174	184	148
Percentage Change	+34.9	+5.7	-19.6