Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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323. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to provide an update on progress to support the National Parks and Wildlife Service's farm plan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40977/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The NPWS Farm Plan Scheme, administered by my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service, is an important instrument that allows for proactive engagement with farmers and land managers, to go above and beyond their statutory requirements in supporting nature. I recognise the central and vital role that those who manage our landscapes and habitats have in addressing the biodiversity crisis and since I came into office, I have increased the funding and personnel support for the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. At one point in 2020, there were just 39 farm plans active. Today, with a 2023 budget of over €3m, there are presently 348 active NPWS farm plans nationally, with more to come on stream in a new tranche of plans that have been selected from a recent call for applications. My Department continues to engage with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to ensure alignment of objectives across national schemes and to avoid any risk of double funding, as appropriate.