My Department is committed to tackling the spread of invasive species in Killarney National Park, most particularly Rhododendron ponticum, the control of which is difficult, costly and labour intensive. The management of the dynamic and aggressive Rhododendron ponticum is a long-standing on-going programme in the National Park, which, at this time, is composed of four elements:
i. the initial clearance and follow-up maintenance work by contractors;
ii. on-going maintenance work by volunteers and students;
iii. a rhododendron eradication management contract; and
iv. on-going work by the staff of my Department’s NPWS, including co-ordination, research, and monitoring.
Since 2011, my Department has invested over €700,000 to tackle rhododendron clearance in Killarney National Park and, in 2016 alone, spent some €210,000 on clearance. An updated Strategic Rhododendron Management Plan is being finalised and my Department hopes to publish this in the coming months. My Department has an all-year round student volunteer programme for site maintenance and also runs 4 two-week work camps over the summer months. In addition, substantial areas are maintained and cleared under contract.
In 2015, my Department appointed a specialist for a two-year period to assist the on-going Rhododendron ponticum eradication programme. Having regard to the dynamic and aggressive nature of rhododendron infestation, the key deliverables of this contract include:
- conducting an initial assessment of infested areas, having regard to available resources, and initiating early actions required for optimal impact;
- in consultation with and working alongside Park management/staff, overseeing the allocation and application of available resources to the programme and its implementation;
- producing a five-year management strategy for the continued eradication of Rhododendron ponticum at various locations within Killarney National Park;
- carrying out scientific investigations with a view to developing new measures for eradicating Rhododendron ponticum;
- providing advice and support to Park management/staff in the roll-out of the initial phase/phases of a work programme to give effect to a five-year management strategy for the continued eradication of Rhododendron ponticum at various locations within Killarney National Park.
