Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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221. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on progress made to date to increase funding and staffing levels at the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41560/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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In 2018, my Department allocated €11,982m to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which represents an over 7% increase from 2017.  In addition, the overall budget for the Heritage Division in 2018 (€47,146m) increased by 4% from 2017.  A further increase in funding of over €7m, or 15%, in the overall budget for the Heritage Division was announced yesterday as part of the Budget Estimates for 2019.  This investment represents a significant proportion of my Department's overall budget and reflects my continued commitment to the NPWS.  

 Staffing levels across my Department are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.  Of the total Department’s staff of 660, 335 work in the area of natural heritage through the NPWS.  I am pleased to note that in 2018, my Department recruited five permanent ecologists to NPWS and three permanent staff for the National Parks including a Supervisor Guide, an Education Guide and a General Operative.  My Department recruits in the region of 70 seasonal staff each year to meet demand during the busy tourist season at the National Parks.