Written Answers Nos. 344-366
344. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the conviction rate for contested cases in the Special Criminal Court; and if he will provide comparative figures on the conviction rate for contested cases in the Circuit Criminal Court and the Central Criminal Court. [39755/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the information on such matters, to the extent available, is being compiled. I will respond to the Deputy as soon as that information has been compiled.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
345. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average length of time for a case to be heard before the Special Criminal Court from the point at which a person is charged; and the way in which this compares with the Central Criminal Court and the Circuit Criminal Court. [39756/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the Courts Service does not record a case from the charge date but from the date a case is lodged in court. Waiting time is defined as the time between court offices being notified that a case is ready to proceed to trial and the actual date for the hearing of a trial.
The Courts Service has also informed me that the current average waiting time in the Special Criminal Courts is 12.5 months, which is a significant reduction on the previous 24 months waiting time prior to the establishment of the Second Special Criminal Court which started hearing cases in May 2016.
I am advised that waiting time in the Central Criminal Court is being maintained at 11 months thanks to the continued assignment of a fifth Judge to the hearing of cases and that waiting times for criminal cases in the Circuit Criminal Courts vary across court venues in accordance with the level of court business in each circuit with an average waiting time of 6.5 months.
The Courts Service has also advised that delays in the hearing of cases can occur for a number of reasons, many of which are outside the control of the Courts and the Courts Service, for example, the unavailability of a witness or vital evidence, delays in the furnishing of reports or because the parties and/or legal practitioners are not ready to proceed on allocated dates. This gives rise to adjournments which can have an impact on the time taken to complete the hearing of a case and on the number of cases which can be disposed of in a court sitting.
The allocation of judicial resources is a matter for the Presidents of the Courts who continue to arrange additional sittings where possible within the resources available to reduce delays in the hearing of cases. The Courts Service continues to work with the Presidents of the Courts to bring about improvements in the waiting times across the court jurisdictions.
346. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions for careless driving and or anti-social driving by each district in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39774/17]
View answer347. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions for careless driving and or anti-social driving in and around Clonmel, County Tipperary in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39775/17]
View answer348. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which careless driving and or anti-social driving, including boy racer driving behaviour and events, are being policed across the country; his plans to improve policing of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39776/17]
View answer349. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which careless driving and or anti-social driving, including boy racer driving behaviour and events, are being monitored and halted across the country; his plans to improve this area of road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39777/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 346 to 349, inclusive, together.
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy, and I will contact him directly when this information is to hand.
350. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review the position of persons (details supplied) with particular reference to regularisation of their position in view of the fact they have resided here since 2005 and 2011 respectively and have established their life here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39781/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to notifications pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the persons concerned have not submitted written representations.
The position in the State of the persons concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation. If any representations are submitted, they will be considered before a final decision is made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
351. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and or expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39802/17]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy entered the State on 21 July 2009 and registered on student conditions (Stamp 2) on 10 August 2009. This period of permission to reside in the State expired on 31 December 2013.
I am further informed by INIS that the person concerned sought further permission to reside under Stamp 2 conditions in 2015. This application was refused by INIS in 2016. INIS has no current application on hands in respect of permission to reside in the State by the person concerned.
In that regard, I would draw the Deputy's attention to Section 5 of the Immigration Act 2004, which provides that no non-national may be in the State other than in accordance with the permission of the Minister. A person who contravenes this requirement is for all purposes unlawfully present in the State.
A person found guilty of such a offence is liable under Section 13 of the Act of 2004 to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
352. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for international protection under section 22 of the International Protection Act 2015 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39817/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 3 February 2010.
An application for consent to make a subsequent application for International Protection under Section 22 of the International Protection Act 2015 was received by the International Protection Office. An application for Subsidiary Protection has also been received which is awaiting processing. In the meantime the Deportation Order remains valid and in place.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
353. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person (details supplied) will be paid in full the wages due to them; the support and advice which was provided to the person following an assault at work and a car accident while working; if he will resolve all matters relative to this case without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39906/17]
View answerI am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that Circulars 1/82 and 6/97 on sick leave arising from occupational injury or disease are the governing circulars in this matter.
The Irish Prison Service Proposal for Organisational Change deals with pay related matters concerning the payment of additional hours and allowances in respect of sick leave arising from occupational injury or disease.
The Chief Medical Officer's advice is sought on all applications to have an absence recorded under these circulars.
The process in place regarding occupational injuries and the pay involvement has been followed in the case of the person concerned.
There is support available for employees through the Employee Assistance Programme. The principal providers of the Employee Assistance Programme services are the Staff Support Officers at a local level. Their role is to support and advise staff with difficulties arising inside or outside the workplace which may have an impact on their ability to provide regular effective service. Inspire Workplaces are a confidential phone support service which is made available to all Irish Prison Service employees.
354. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of events she attended in an official capacity for heritage week. [39138/17]
View answerHeritage Week 2017, which was co-ordinated by the Heritage Council and funded by my Department, celebrated Ireland's built, natural and cultural heritage over nine days in August.
This year Heritage Week focused on Ireland's natural heritage. As Minister, I attend scores of engagements each year with those who are working to enrich the quality of life in Ireland through the protection and promotion of our rich heritage. I launched National Heritage Week in Dublin in July and also launched Monaghan Heritage week in Clones in August.
I was very pleased to see the success of Heritage Week this year. More than 450,000 people attended 2,299 heritage events all across the country, 500 events more than last year. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the volunteers and communities who took part.
355. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the staffing levels of both full-time and part-time staff employed to maintain the castle gardens at Glenveagh National Park, County Donegal; the number of vacancies in respect of full-time, part-time and seasonal positions which have yet to be filled as part of the gardening team; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39161/17]
View answer356. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has received formal requests for additional staffing resources to complement the team of workers employed to maintain and care for gardens at Glenveagh National Park, County Donegal, in each of the years 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017; if so, if the requests were either approved or rejected in each instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39162/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together.
I am advised that the staffing resources required to meet my Department's business needs are assessed through the Department’s Workforce Plan, having regard to emerging business priorities, the availability of payroll resources and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform directives, guidelines and circulars on staffing. I am advised that while there have been no requests for additional permanent gardening staff in the location in question in the context of Workforce Planning in the years concerned, there has been a requirement for seasonal staff and I am advised that these posts have been approved and filled in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
I am also advised that there are four permanent and two seasonal members of staff employed specifically to maintain and care for the gardens at Glenveagh National Park. I am further advised that there are no outstanding full time, part time or seasonal posts to be filled in the gardening team. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that there has been significant recruitment in recent months across our National Parks including the appointment of an additional permanent bus driver and visitor guide at Glenveagh.
357. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the conservation plan for the care and preservation of architectural elements and ornamental structures sited at the castle gardens of Glenveagh National Park was formally enacted; her plans to revise and update the plan to ensure that the conservation needs of this amenity may be most effectively met in the years going forward; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39163/17]
View answerIn October 2015, the National Parks and Wildlife Service completed a “Statues and Ornamental Collection Conservation Training Report”, for Glenveagh Castle. This report helps inform the process of business, budgetary and works planning for Glenveagh National Park in each financial year and this will continue in 2018.
The Training Report is an internal NPWS document rather than a statutory plan and therefore does not require enacting in a legislative process.
358. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) in County Clare whose lands adjoin a National Parks and Wildlife Service site will have their boundary wall completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39164/17]
View answerThe area in question involves a stretch of lands which adjoins a Nature Reserve. I understand that at this location, the livestock on the adjoining lands frequently shelter under the trees growing in the nature reserve and the resultant pressing against the wall causes damage.
The National Parks and Wildlife service of my Department has carried out works in this regard over the past few years, including cutting back of trees growing along the boundary of these lands. The NPWS has also engaged a contractor to clear back the brush/hedges along the boundary. The joint wall itself has been repaired a number of times over the past three years, in some places by NPWS staff and in others by the owner of the other property. My Department is satisfied that the works undertaken mean that the wall is stock proof.
359. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta ós rud é go bhfuil an spriocdháta a gealladh i gceist pharlaiminte roimhe seo (Ceist 23977/17) sáraithe, cathain a fhoilseofar an plean gníomhaíochta maidir leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don tréimhse 2017-2022. [39242/17]
View answerI mí na Nollag 2015, mar chuid de Phlean Athnuachana na Státseirbhíse, eagraíodh Díospóireacht Oscailte ar Pholasaí faoin Straitéis 20-Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030. Rinneadh é sin ar mhaithe le breathnú siar ar an méid a bhí déanta go dtí sin maidir lena cur i bhfeidhm, chomh maith le breathnú chun cinn ar na tosaíochtaí ina leith don tréimhse cúig bliana amach romhainn.
Mar thoradh ar an díospóireacht oscailte sin, tá sé i gceist go mbeidh plean gníomhaíochta don tréimhse 2017-2022 á fhoilsiú ag mo Roinn. Ós rud é go bhfuil freagracht thras-Rannach i gceist maidir le cur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise, tá plé ar bun ag mo Roinn leis na páirtithe leasmhara éagsúla maidir le spriocanna sonracha agus tráthchlár ina leith a aontú.
Cé go n-aithnítear go bhfuil moill áirithe ar an sprioc ama a tugadh sa bhfreagra ar an gCeist Dála atá luaite ag an Teachta, leanfar ag obair i gcomhar leis na páirtithe leasmhara ábhartha i dtreo a bheith in ann an plean a fhoilsiú faoi dheireadh an fhómhair.
360. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad atá ar intinn ag a Roinn a dhéanamh, mar chomhlacht ar a bhfuil freagracht faoi leith mar atá leagtha síos sa Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta, chun tacú le seirbhísí luathbhlianta a fheidhmíonn trí mheán na Gaeilge; cé na pleananna atá aici chun comhaltaí foirne agus acmhainní breise a chur ar fáil; cá mhéad comhalta foirne agus cá mhéad airgead breise a cuirfear ar fáil gach bliain sna cúig bliana atá romhainn; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [39243/17]
View answerDírím aird an Teachta ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar Cheisteanna Dála Uimhir 306 & 307 den 4 Iúil 2017 faoin ábhar seo.
Mar a thug mé fios sa bhfreagra sin bunaíodh Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta Teo (CNNG) in 2004 le tacaíocht ó Údarás na Gaeltachta le clár seirbhísí luathoideachais trí Ghaeilge a sholáthar sa Ghaeltacht. Cuireann CNNG seirbhís thacaíochta riaracháin agus oiliúna ar fáil do na seirbhísí luathoideachais a fheidhmíonn trí Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht - idir naíonraí, naíolanna, chlubanna bricfeasta, sheirbhísí iarscoile agus ghrúpaí máthar agus tachráin. Tá allúntas ar fiú €535,000 curtha ar fail ag Údarás na Gaetlachta do CNNG in 2017 chun cabhrú le feidhmiú an chláir oibre sin.
Faoi láthair tá 74 seirbhís luathbhlianta (naíonra) ag feidhmiú faoi chúram CNNG ina gcuirtear seirbhís luathoideachais ar fáil do c.1,000 páiste ó cheann ceann na Gaeltachta.
Mar a bhaineann sé le cúrsaí oililúna san earnáil seo, is fiú a lua go bhfuil tacaíochtaí eile á gcur ar fáil le cur le cumas, caighdeán agus cáilíocht na gcleachtóirí sna seirbhísí luathbhlianta sa Ghaeltacht. Tá cúrsa oiliúna ag leibhéal FETAC leibhéal 6 á sholáthar i gceantar Gaeltachta na Gaillimhe faoi láthair agus 16 rannpháirtí ag freastal ar an gcúrsa atá á sholáthar ag Muintearas, fochuideachta de chuid Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil na féidearthachtaí á bhfiosrú ag an Údarás faoi láthair maidir leis an gcúrsa céanna a sholáthar i ceantair Ghaeltachta Chiarraí agus Dhún na nGall, má tá éileamh ann ina leith.
Luafainn sa chomhthéacs sin chomh maith scéim nua, An Scéim Forbartha um Oiliúint Luathbhlianta sa Ghaeltacht a d'fhógair an tÚdarás le gairid. Tá an scéim seo dírithe ar oiliúint bhreise a chur ar dhaoine atá ag obair i seirbhísí luathbhlianta agus cáilíocht bhreise a bhaint amach. Tá sé mar aidhm ag an scéim tacú le daoine atá ag obair sa réimse luathbhlianta trí Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus atá ag iarraidh céim nó ardcháilíocht tríú leibhéal a bhaint amach sa réimse sin.
I dteannta leis na tacaíochtaí thuasluaite, ní miste dom a rá go gcuireann mo Roinn féin cúnamh ar fáil chomh maith chun tacú leis an earnáil, trí Scéim Seirbhísí Réamhscoile. Faoin scéim sin cuirtear cúnamh ar fail fáil d’ionaid tacaíochta teaghlaigh agus d’ionaid chúraim leanaí áirithe atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht (a mbíonn naíolann ag feidhmiú iontu) chun gníomhaíochtaí breise sealbhaithe agus saibhrithe teanga a chur ar fáil do lucht úsáidte na seirbhísí. Ina theannta sin cuirtear pacáiste tacaíochta teanga ar fáil do theaghlaigh óga na Gaeltachta atá ag togáil clainne le Gaeilge nó a dteastaíonn uathu é sin a dhéanamh agus tá ráchairt shuntasach ar an mbeart praiticiúil seo.
Sa Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 a d'fhoilsigh an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2016 leagtar amach roinnt bearta ann a bhaineann leis an earnáil réamhscolaíochta sa Ghaeltacht - a bhfuil baint ag páirtithe leasmhara éagsúla lena gcur i bhfeidhm, lena n-áirítear mo Roinn féin, An Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna agus An Roinn Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige.
Beidh gá dá réir do gach páirtí leasmhar, cúram a dhéanamh d'fheidhmiú an pholasaí seo ar bhonn comhpháirtíochta agus tá obair idir lámha chun na críche sin cheana féin. Is é an cuspóir atá ag an bpolasaí - ach an oiread leis an bpróiseas pleanála teanga agus an tacaíocht phraiticiúil leanúnach atá á cur ar fáil ón státchiste don earnáil réamhscolaíocht Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht trí chéile ná a chinntiú go ndéantar an Ghaeilge a threisiú mar theanga pobail agus teaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht - i gcomhréir le mianta chomhphobail na Gaeltachta iad féin agus lena bhfuil ag croílár na straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge.
361. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) who has provided all the requested documents to her Department will receive payment for the NPWS scheme and cessation of turf cutting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39250/17]
View answerAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question.
The qualifying criteria for the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme are that:
- The applicant must have had a legal interest (ownership or a turbary right) in one of the 36 raised bog natural heritage areas on 25 May 2010 and must have had the right to cut and remove turf from the property on that date;
- The applicant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the five year period up to 14 January 2014;
- The turf resource on the site has not been exhausted; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
An assessment of the bog plot in question to confirm whether turf was cut on the site during the relevant five year period is scheduled to be carried out by my Department. Once this assessment has been completed, my Department will be in a position to examine the application further.
362. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if all staff members of Foras na Gaeilge take the 10% cut as did other public servants; and if they were treated in the same manner under FEMPI legislation. [39256/17]
View answerForas na Gaeilge has confirmed that the full provisions of the FEMPI legislation, including the 10% salary reduction for new employees post 1 January 2011, have been applied in the case of all southern based staff.
363. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is considering changes to the conditions or criteria for the application and granting of licences for the purpose of hare coursing. [39272/17]
View answerMy Department issued licences under the Wildlife Acts to the Irish Coursing Club, covering their affiliated coursing clubs, to capture and tag hares for use at regulated hare coursing meetings for the 2017/18 coursing season which extends from the end of September 2017 to the end of February 2018. I have made changes to this year's licence to include a condition formally requiring that an obligatory return must be made to my Department giving particulars of the number of hares coursed each day and other data relating to any hare deaths and hares needing assistance or injured.
364. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of export licences for cultural objects that have been granted over the past five years; and the items involved in each case. [39278/17]
View answerThere have been a total of 121 export licences issued by my Department since 2013 under Section 50 of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 and EU Regulation 116-2009 (and subsequent amendments), as appropriate. Details of these are available on my Department's website at https://www.chg.gov.ie/arts/culture/projects-and-programmes/export-of-cultural-goods/.
In addition, the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) issues export licences primarily for samples of archaeological material for the purpose of research, post excavation analysis, dating and other scientific processes to be carried out outside the jurisdiction by specialists in research laboratories, often attached to universities. Where samples are required for any form of destructive analysis, licences to alter under the terms of the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 would also be sought and issued in tandem with the export licences. 505 such licences have been issued by the NMI since 2013 to present.
Finally, a total of 373 export licences were issued by the National Gallery of Ireland (NGI) since 2013 under Section 51 of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997. Details of these licences are also available on my Department's website at https://www.chg.gov.ie/arts/culture/projects-and-programmes/export-of-cultural-goods/.
365. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has received correspondence from a group (details supplied); the assistance which can be afforded to this group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39371/17]
View answerMy Department has not received correspondence to date from this group in relation to commemorating the event referred to by the Deputy.
The structure in question is a National Monument in my ownership as Minister and is managed on my behalf by the Commissioners of Public Works. I understand that the group referred to was in contact with the Commissioners earlier this year in relation to hosting a commemorative event at this site and were advised on how to proceed. The group will need prior approval from the Commissioners for the use of the National Monument. Any proposed impacts or works on the National Monument will also require my consent under Section 14 of the National Monuments Acts 1930-2014.
The best advice for the group is, in the first instance, to remain in contact with the Office of Public Works in relation to obtaining the necessary permissions. I also suggest contacting the Heritage Officer in the local authority who is well placed to advise on the issues including the various funding options which may be available or applicable in this case.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, provides some grants for community events relating to heritage. It is a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually having regard to competing priorities for limited resources. Further details of grant schemes available from the Heritage Council can be found at www.heritagecouncil.ie.
366. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the National Parks and Wildlife Service is using Larsen traps as part of its curlew conservation programme; and if it is using these traps in other programmes. [39426/17]
View answerA number of native Irish breeding birds, particularly ground-nesting birds, are of priority conservation concern due to steep declines in their breeding population. This includes the Curlew, which has declined by 97% in Ireland since the late 1980s and needs substantial effort if it is to be saved from extinction as a breeding species here.
One of the main reason for the declines of Curlew and other ground-nesting birds is excessive predation rates, including by members of the crow family, in particular Grey Crows and Magpies. It is estimated that there are more than half a million of both species in Ireland, and that their population is artificially high.
Magpies and Grey Crows are legally and humanely controlled, in a targeted and localised way, by professional operatives on contract to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, to help rare and threatened species rear their young. Larsen traps are used as part of this effort for Curlew, Red-throated Diver, Red Grouse, Lapwing, Redshank, Snipe, Corncrake and other species where predation is judged to be a significant factor in their decline.
The use of Larsen traps complies with the provisions of the Wildlife Act 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003 (SI No. 620/2003).
