John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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336. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to engage with local authorities throughout the country on introducing new designated biodiversity locations to replace existing paved and asphalted spaces in which such existing spaces are underutilised; if a funding stream will be secured for such works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44899/20]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The Local Authority Biodiversity Grant Scheme operated by my Department provides funding to assist local authority biodiversity officers, or 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 (NBAP), 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. Funding was awarded in 2020 to all 31 Local Authorities who applied in 2020 and supported a range of projects including those tackling invasive alien species, surveying of breeding birds and raising awareness of biodiversity.

The NBAP funding is available to Local Authorities for biodiversity issues. I do not have a role in the decisions of local authorities with respect to use of their own land.