Alan M. Dukes
Question:42 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the corncrake population counted in 1999; if she will report on the corncrake and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19153/99]
Written Answers. - Corncrake Population.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 224 of 25 Bealtaine 1999. Preliminary figures received from Birdwatch Ireland who operate the corncrake grant scheme with funding from Dúchas. The Heritage Service of my Department and the Royal Society For the Protection of Birds, RSPB, indicate that there were 156 corncrakes, singing males recorded in 1999, an increase of three over 1998.
It is my intention to continue funding for the scheme pending increased take up by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development or take up of the SAC/SPA compensation scheme operated by my Department.