Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress that the wildlife rangers have made over the past five years; the number of wildlife rangers in place and the areas they assist in the protection and conservation of natural heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5744/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service operates to implement and/or enforce wildlife and conservation measures around the country. The principal tasks carried out by the staff involved include the following: implementing and enforcing the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000, and the European Communities (Habitats) Regulations 1997, as amended; assisting in the management of National Parks, Reserves and other land for conservation along with the supervision of public access and use; liaison with landowners, farmers and community interests on natural heritage matters; carrying out wildlife research surveys and promoting knowledge of conservation; assessment of development applications and advising landowners; assessment of applications for consents and licences under the Habitats Regulations and Wildlife Acts; and monitoring and assessment of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas to protect from damage to habitats or species.

More than 300 staff are normally available in support of this work, supplemented by up to 70 seasonal staff. Within this overall staffing resource, officers in the Conservation Ranger grade number some 74 at present, with a further four vacancies to be filled shortly. The distribution of Conservation Rangers is set out in the following table.