I propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 397 together.
The corncrake is confined to a few areas of Ireland, particularly in Donegal and Mayo. Once widespread, its range has greatly contracted, due mostly to changes in farming methods over the past 50 years, and in particular the switch from hay to silage.
My Department carries out annual surveys of calling corncrakes in the key areas. Insofar as possible, surveyors work from public roads and tracks, and permission is sought from landowners in advance of any surveys carried out by or on behalf of the Department.
Regulation 5 (1)(f) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011) allows authorised officers of my Department to enter and inspect any land or premises for the purposes of performing functions under these Regulations or of obtaining any information which is required for such purposes.
I am not aware that any contractors were engaged in construction of fencing on islands. Staff of my Department have been in discussions with a land owner in regard to erecting a small amount of fencing for the purpose of meeting the conservation objective of providing vegetation cover for corncrakes. This work is necessary to meet the conservation objectives of the designated site and will only be done in a manner consistent with the Wildlife Acts and planning legislation.
With regard to grants, a calling corncrake is a very good indicator of a nest nearby. If corncrakes are located in farmed meadows, landowners who are likely to have a nesting corncrake are offered the corncrake grant scheme that pays them to mow the meadows later than they might otherwise, so the young may be reared in safety, and in a specified manner, to give the nesting birds and offspring an opportunity to avoid the harvesting machinery.
In 2016, the corncrake grant scheme paid out €33,840.00 in Co. Donegal, €91,694.99 in Co. Mayo and €7,724.41 in Co. Galway. This reflects the farming practices on lands occupied by corncrakes and the numbers of birds present.
My Department also has a small number of 5-year contracts with farmers in Special Protection Areas in these counties, which provide a longer-term arrangement for both landowners and this threatened species.
