Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

354. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the breakdown in the expenditure of the local biodiversity grants scheme; the local authorities which are benefitting from the funding; the amount of funding provided under the scheme to each local authority involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21692/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Local Authority Biodiversity Grant Scheme operated by my Department provides funding to assist local authority biodiversity officers and heritage officers in local authorities without a biodiversity officer with the implementation of projects that promote actions contained in the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021. The current National Biodiversity Action Plan, Ireland’s 3rd, captures the objectives, targets and actions for biodiversity to be undertaken by a wide range of government, civil society and private sectors to achieve Ireland’s vision for biodiversity.

The Plan contains 119 actions under a framework of seven strategic objectives. These encompass mainstreaming biodiversity into decision making across all sectors; strengthening the knowledge base for conservation of biodiversity; increasing awareness and appreciation of biodiversity and ecosystem services; conserving and restoring biodiversity and ecosystem services in the wider countryside; the marine environment; expanding and improving management of protected areas and species; and strengthening international governance for biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Funding was awarded to all 31 Local Authorities who applied in 2020, as outlined in the table below:

- A multiannual project to tackle invasive alien species in Sligo

- Projects to raise awareness of biodiversity in Cavan, Clare, Roscommon and Longford

- Surveying of breeding birds in North Bull Island, Dublin

- A project to assist in the adoption of the All Ireland Pollinator Plan in Galway

Engagement with communities and local authorities is crucial to the implementation of the National Biodiversity Plan. This scheme represents a commitment to support implementation of the Plan at community, county and regional level and recognises the importance of the work carried out by biodiversity and heritage officers.