Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
monage framework plans are to be reviewed in 2012 and subsequent years in view of the age
of existing plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8407/12]
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Jimmy Deenihan): Staff in the
National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department are currently co-ordinating a review of
the stocking restrictions in all commonage plans prepared to date. This is a joint exercise
funded by my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The
carrying capacity of all commonages will be expressed at Land Parcel Identification System
(LPIS) level and will prescribe the sustainable carrying capacity in ewe equivalents per hectare.
This will reflect any recovery delivered since the original commonage plans were prepared. It
is expected that the review will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2012.
Wildlife Protection
384. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the bounty
scheme for mink is in operation or if the details are yet to be finalised as we approach the
critical spring period for wildlife and the lambing season which are affected by mink. [8416/12]
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Jimmy Deenihan): Wild mink are not
protected species under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2010 and they can be controlled by farmers,
landowners and others.
I have been concerned for some time at the number of feral mink around the country and
especially their effects on ground nesting birds. A report published by my Department in 2009
estimated the population of wild mink in the State could reach a total of between 20,500 and
33,500 individuals. The report identified ground nesting birds as the species most vulnerable to
mink predation. Accordingly, my Department is concentrating its resources on protecting the
nesting sites of rare and threatened bird species, including red-throated diver, corncrake, grey
partridge, waders and terns, from a range of predators, including mink. Experience has shown
that targeted control of predators at specific times can have a significant benefit to the breeding
success of these bird species.
I am also aware of the work of the National Association of Regional Game Councils
(NARGC), which has been actively promoting mink control to its members by providing funding
to its regional councils for the purchase of traps for individual clubs.
I decided to provide €20,000 to NARGC towards the payment of a bounty to hunters this
year, based on the number of mink that are killed. I consider that this offers a useful addition
to the measures already being taken by my Department. While feral mink are found in most
parts of the country, I requested that, as far as it is possible, special attention should be given
to the counties of Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Kerry, where my Department has also concentrated
its efforts. The bounty scheme itself will be operated by the NARGC, with a verification
process agreed with my Department.
Departmental Staff
385. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will
outline on a yearly basis from 2008 to 2015 in respect of staff leaving the public service in his
Department; the cost of lump sums; the cost of severance payments; the cost of pensions of
those leaving the service through retirement or other means; the loss of the pension levy from
employees who have left; the loss of superannuation payments from retired or departed
employees, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8430/12]
491