A NATIONAL study of the otter population is costing the State almost €130,000.
Belfast-based Quercus Consultants – which also has the contract for the national frog survey – is being paid €129,981 plus VAT for the work to develop and manage the otter survey.
The State commissioned the work in response to a European Court of Justice judgment that the Republic was failing to adequately protect the mammal.
There has been a decline in the population since the 1980s.
The work is expected to conclude next March.
