Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2014
392. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding rhododendron in Killarney National Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25348/14]
View answerMy Department carries out an annual targeted programme of works to manage the spread of the invasive species Rhododendron ponticum in Killarney National Park. The extent of the problem varies from area to area within the Park and, having regard to the very dynamic nature of this invasive species, the targeted management programme is routinely monitored and adjusted with a view to ensuring optimum efficacy. In the past, large tracts of the Park including ancient Oak woods were heavily infested with this robust and vigorous invasive plant which, if left unchecked, can grow in dense thickets and replace native shrub, exclude native vegetation, and constrain native woodland regeneration.
Since 2011, nearly €500,000 has been invested in this work and for this year I have allocated a further €100,000 to Killarney National Park for the management of this plant. Approximately 3,000 of the 10,000 hectares in the Park were, to some extent, affected by Rhododendron infestation. My Department's management programme has made significant inroads into the problem and now approximately 2,000 of those hectares, involving some 40 different sites, are under effective control.
Ultimately, the plan is to clear all Rhododendron from Killarney National Park. The annual Rhododendron management programme is intended to create conditions in the Park that are conducive to the protection and re-establishment of native species and, particularly, our native woodlands.
The work involved is difficult and resource intensive and is carried out by outside specialist companies, staff of my Department, and by volunteer groups under staff direction and supervision. My Department is committed to continuing this important challenging work into the future.
In this regard, I would like to recognise the past and continuing important contribution of volunteer groups to this work, and also to acknowledge the innovative work of my Department’s staff in Killarney National Park who have been instrumental in developing new methods to increase the effectiveness of our efforts to control this plant.
