Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
673. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what steps are being taken by the NPWS to prevent severe overgrazing in Killarney National Park by non-native invasive species such as sika deer and feral goats (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14883/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra674. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is aware that overgrazing by two non-native invasive species, primarily sika deer and feral goats, is contributing to habitat loss as well as the spread of rhododendrum ponticum in Killarney National Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14885/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra675. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what steps are being taken to control the sika deer population in Killarney National Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14886/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 673 to 675, inclusive, together.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department and, specifically, management at Killarney National Park are acutely aware of the impact that invasive species, such as deer and goats, can have on the habitats within the Park and, in particular, on native flora. The effective management and protection of nature as a whole is the top priority within the Park. Where grazing by deer and other animal occurs at appropriate levels, it facilitates structural diversity, encourages high levels of biodiversity in the ground and field layers, maintains open areas and stimulates natural regeneration. Unfortunately, grazing pressure in Irish woodlands is rarely at appropriate levels and the growing impact of deer nationally has led to damage to forestry and biodiversity in some areas.Nationally, representatives of my Department – including the NPWS – participated in the Deer Management Strategy Group alongside representatives of Department of Agriculture and other interested stakeholders such as Coillte and Teagasc. The NPWS is committed to continuing to engage with the actions arising out of the group’s report and to being part of the national response to the issue of deer management.Specifically relating to Killarney National Park, the culling of deer has been carried out consistently for decades with varying results. In the last 5 years 461 Sika Deer have been culled in the Park. During the same period, 501 Red Deer have been culled. With the recent increases in Rangers assigned to the Park – rising from only 3 in 2018 to 7 in post currently – this rate is expected to increase. However, the management of an ecosystem – particularly where that management involves a resource and time intensive intervention such as culling – needs to be targeted and evidence-based in order to ensure maximum benefit. In 2022 a commission report indicated that between 2018 and 2021 there was a 13% decline in Sika Deer numbers, underlining the effectiveness of carrying out intensive culling in specific areas. With the additional staff resources now available, targeted culling activities in Killarney National Park are expected to intensify over the coming years. It should be noted that there are indications that the Sika Deer population regulate themselves in areas where there is no culling, with a specific example being the Doogary Wood area where Sika density declined by 38% during this period. In areas where the culling of Red Deer was carried out, there is evidence that the number of Sika increased, filling the vacancy left behind from the Red Deer. In light of this, it is important that interventions are strategically managed, targeted and designed to have the greatest effect without created any unintended consequences.It should also be noted that the culling of deer is only one of many roles Rangers carry out as part of their duties and can only happen if specific conditions are met. While Ranger numbers in Killarney National Park have increased, culling can only take place at times when there are no people in the area. While culling happens at night, one of the challenges facing Rangers at the Park is that the Park is accessible to the public 24 hours a day. Rangers must also be scheduled to operate in teams when culling for safety.
In relation to goat numbers at Killarney National Park, in 2022 Rangers undertook a comprehensive goat survey and the Park has continued to monitor goat numbers and will use this information to determine any appropriate goat-specific management strategies required.
Following the fire in Killarney National Park in 2021, there has been a deep study into the effects of the fire and, in 2023, a woodland survey was carried out in the Park to assess the conservation status of all the woodlands. As the reports from these studies become available, staff at the Park will have a better understanding of the current ecological conservation status of each woodland and this will help inform decisions on appropriate interventions relating to invasive-species going forward.
