Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The biodiversity officer is up to the local authority. I was asked earlier about heritage officers and I know that 31 local authorities have a heritage officer but there are about two or three local authorities that do not have a biodiversity officer. My full understanding is that it is a matter for the local authorities themselves to resource for a biodiversity officer. Recruitment is ultimately a matter for the local authorities. The programme for Government, which has not been ratified yet, commits to ensuring that all local authorities will have a biodiversity officer so it will be examined at that point, if not before it. It is something the Deputy could take up with her local city and county councillors.

I am working closely with the Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Kyne, on the issues the Deputy raised on the islands. He has the statutory responsibility for the islands and I know he is before the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response tomorrow. Funding has gone towards the islands but it is something we are aware of. There was a financial package of €4.7 million not so long ago which went towards the Irish colleges, as the Deputy knows, and money also went to Údarás na Gaeltachta. I will let the Minister of State know the Deputy was asking about this today. There is the islands action plan and I know that has to be implemented properly. I can get the Deputy a comprehensive response on that in writing.

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