Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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395. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if an education liaison officer has been appointed in each of the national parks to work with schools across the country (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18400/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The appointment of Education Liaison Officers is a matter for the Minister of Education and Skills. My Department is engaging with that Department to optimise the appointment of these Officers.

The National Parks and Wildlife Guide Service which operates from our National Parks and a number of other centres across the country provide a different service than that of the Education Liaison Officers. These centres run events for the general public, offer visits for community groups such as senior citizens and scouts. The Parks promote the importance of biodiversity and the natural world, to both primary and secondary school groups, through nature days and fieldwork. This service has continued over the course of the pandemic, where appropriate, and my Department expects another busy summer for the Parks and Wildlife Centres as the numbers of people holidaying at home in Ireland are expected to remain at a high level this year.