Recommendations of the deer management strategy group are set to be implemented through a tender from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
The DAFM is seeking a programme manager to implement the recommendations of the group, which previously published a report containing 15 actions to tackle ongoing issues with deer.
The appointment of a manager and the establishment of local management units in so-called “hot spots” for deer populations were among the recommendations in the report.
The department is now seeking a programme manager to implement the recommendations of the group for three years with the option to extend the term for up to 12 months with a maximum of one such extension.
The tender details that the programme manager shall establish, manage and administer up to 15 deer management units (DMU) and appoint a local coordinator in each DMU.
The local coordinator is considered a part time role of 2.5 days per week per DMU. One person may coordinate two DMUs depending on location.
Tenderers are asked to provide details of one contract undertaken within the last seven years that demonstrate their experience of successfully providing a service of similar scope, scale and complexity to the service anticipated under the contract.
The department has stated the expenditure on the services “may amount” to €3.4m (excl. VAT) over the term and any possible extensions. This figure is an estimate only based on current and future expected usage.
Chair of the Irish Deer Management Strategy Group (IDMSG) Teddy Cashman previously told Agriland that he expected most of the DMUs to be established in Wicklow, but added that some could also be in Kerry.
The group previously recognised that deer “hot spots” are emerging in Tipperary, Waterford, Donegal and Galway, but it remains to be seen where the DMUs will be established
Responses for the tender are due by 2:00p.m on Friday, September 20.