Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
431. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which game species such as the red grouse, woodcock, partridge or others continue by way of specific conservation measures; the extent to which the numbers of these various species are being monitored and recorded at this present time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35562/23]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPSW) of my Department has supported projects, monitoring and research for the aforementioned species in recent decades. The information collected has been used to inform Ireland’s reporting under the EU Birds Directive on the status of these species as recently as 2019. Furthermore, through NPWS-funded supports, the Grey Partridge Project, with Boora as its flagship site, has implemented conservation measures successfully for the species and others (e.g. Lapwing). These include targeted control of generalist predators, supplementary feeding, the appropriate release of captive-bred birds, and the management and creation of supporting foraging and nesting cover, chick-rearing cover and over-winter seed crops for partridges, raptors and birds in the wider countryside. Farmland habitat measures, supported by agri-environment schemes, not only provide vital financial aid to farmers, but also help them manage their land in ways beneficial to target species and also other biodiversity, including other priority species/habitats.
The necessity for conservation interventions to reverse fortunes of the aforementioned species is clear, and these include provision of targeted agri-environment schemes/supports.
