489. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce a mink eradication programme in the Lough Derg area, similar to the initiative established in the midlands around Lough Ree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51722/26]

490. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the Midlands Mink Eradication Programme; the criteria used to select this area for the pilot initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51723/26]

491. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the area covered by the Midlands Mink Eradication Programme; the volunteer groups involved and the number of volunteers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51724/26]

492. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if further Mink Eradication Programmes are being considered for other regions across Ireland; if so, the areas being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51725/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 489, 490, 491 and 492 together.

My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the implementation of the legislative framework around invasive alien species in Ireland, including the 2024 European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations (SI 374/2024) which give effect in the national context to the EU IAS Regulation (1143/2014).

The Midland's Mink Eradication Programme (MMEP) is Ireland's first ever large-scale effort to eradicate American Mink, an Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern. This pilot programme is a collaboration between the Breeding Waders EIP and the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) and is supported by the NPWS.

The pilot programme is focused on all lands within a 20km radius of Lough Ree, covering some 2,600km2. This is building on significant investment by the Midland's Region of the NPWS in Mink control on Lough Ree's islands since 2010. This site was selected for the pilot as Lough Ree is one of Ireland's most important site for breeding waterbirds.

The pilot programme is designed to test a citizen science-led model for Mink Eradication. The pilot will run for 3.5 years with robust data collection and analysis informing decisions around future investment.

The programme has, since January 2026, trained and equipped 97 volunteers, with 50 more volunteers due for training in the coming weeks. Volunteers are from all sectors of society, with a substantial number being members of local Gun and Angling Clubs. The pilot now has 171 live-catch traps deployed in the programme area.

Initial reports from the programme team are positive and should this trend continue, I look forward to discussing where future efforts may be focussed in order to minimise the negative impacts of this invasive species on our native wildlife.