Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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461. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department and public bodies or agencies that operate under her remit have policies in place to install artificial structures that provide shelter and habitat space for wild species, such as, but not limited to, insect hotels, bat boxes, nesting towers and beehives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24269/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Government’s Climate Action policies, my Department is committed to responding to climate change and improving our environment for present and future generations.

A DSP Green Committee comprising staff and managers has been established, which promotes a greener, more ecological culture within my Department, coordinates green initiatives, champions sustainable practices, and fosters an overall culture of green thinking. This group is supported by green teams at local level looking at initiatives such as rewilding and low-maintenance planted areas to encourage bee and butterfly activity.

The Department's buildings are mostly in city and town locations with very limited external space. We are, however, assessing the feasibility of installing insect hotels and beehives in some of my Department’s buildings.