National Parks and Wildlife Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2015

Thursday, 25 June 2015

Ceisteanna (256)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

256. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the National Parks and Wildlife Service division of her Department issued 493 licences to stop damage to flora and fauna by wild animals in 2013 for the capture and/or killing of protected animals and birds; the nature of the damage being caused; the species of animals and birds involved; the method of capture and killing employed; the reason non-lethal methods were not used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25491/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

There is a facility, under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts, for a person to obtain a permit, outside the Open Seasons, from my Department to take action in certain situations where serious damage is being caused by protected animals and wild birds. Such action might include the scaring, capture or killing of species. Applications for permits are considered by officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department, on a case by case basis.

In 2013, some 493 permits were granted under section 42, the vast majority of which, some 443 permits or 90%, were issued to control deer. 35 permits were issued to control bird species, such as feral pigeons, rooks and jackdaws, some of them in indoor structures such as food storage areas. A small number of permits were granted to control other animals.

In 2014, there was a reduction in the number of section 42 permits issued from 493 to 355.