Hen Harriers Threat Response Plan

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019

Tuesday, 23 July 2019

Questions (3026)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

3026. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 884 of 9 July 2019, the month or quarter in 2019 the draft will be finalised and published further to the confirmation that the threat response plan for hen harrier areas is nearing completion and in view of the fact that drafting of the plan commenced in 2015; the costs incurred for drafting the plan to date; and the final costs forecasted. [32855/19]

Written answers

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan (HHTRP) is nearing completion and is currently being refined and updated as necessary by my Department in consultation with stakeholders. It is necessary to consider the draft Plan in light of the Government's recent Climate Action Plan and I intend to have the draft HHTRP ready for consultation in Q4 2019. The draft Plan, when published, will require Strategic Environmental Assessment to be carried out before a final version of the Plan is made available.

The total cost incurred so far in preparing the Plan has been €94,300. This figure does not include my Department's staff time.

The final cost , including Strategic Environmental Assessment, will depend on the cost of that Assessment which has not yet been procured and is therefore not available at this time.