Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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368. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if subsidies or grant supports are available from his Department or any agency under the aegis of his Department for the conservation or protection of bats and their breeding and resting places in private residences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32560/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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There are nine bat species resident in Ireland. Three of these commonly occur in private residences – soprano pipistrelle, common pipistrelle and Leisler’s bat. The other six species are less common and less widespread and are more likely to roost in farm buildings or in empty or derelict houses.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme supports individuals to conserve nature and there are farm plans in place for securing the suitability of outbuildings and enhancing the wider environment for lesser horseshoe bats (e.g. through hedgerows, field margins, orchards, farming practices). There are no extant farm plans pertaining to private residences.

The Heritage Council runs the Traditional Farm Building scheme which provides grants towards the renovation of farm buildings. Where bats are present in such buildings, as they often are, additional measures are implemented to ensure the bats’ requirements are built into the renovation plan.

NPWS regional staff provide an advisory service to members of the public with bats on their properties. These staff regularly visit bat roosts in houses to provide support and advice to members of the public with queries and concerns about bats.

Additional advice for householders is provided in the NPWS leaflet on bats in houses, available at the following link: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/NPWS%20Bat%20Leaflet%202015.pdf