Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 5

Written Answers. - Wildlife Rangers.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

71 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the progress, if any, being made for the recruitment of wildlife rangers throughout the country; the numbers of such rangers recruited in each of the years 1995 and 1996; and the projected number for 1997. [17810/96]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

While no wildlife rangers were recruited in 1995 and 1996, I am conscious of the need to recruit more rangers. I hope to be able to recruit rangers in 1997, but I am not in a position to give any commitment at this time. It is my intention to discuss proposals on this subject with the Minister for Finance in the context of the 1997 Estimates.