Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if an audit or count has been carried out by his Department to identify the number of local authorities that have appointed or designated biodiversity officers; the local authorities that his Department has information confirming that a biodiversity officer has been put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20506/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department has not carried out an audit on the number of biodiversity officers employed by local authorities. However, from bilateral contacts, my Department is aware that biodiversity officers are currently employed in Fingal County Council, Clare County Council and Dublin City County Council. Biodiversity Officers, or indeed Heritage Officers who discharge the biodiversity function in a number of other areas, play an important role in the development and implementation of local biodiversity action plans. I have provided €300,000 to support the implementation of local biodiversity action plans during 2008.