Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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690. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the National Biodiversity Action Plan provides supports for biodiversity projects in counties Laois and Offaly; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20942/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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My Department administers the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF), previously National Biodiversity Action Plan Local Authority Grant Scheme, to assist local authorities in the implementation of actions in the National Biodiversity Action Plan. The funding stream launched in 2018 and is available to biodiversity officers and heritage officers across the country. The scheme enables local authorities to develop projects that address biodiversity loss in their localities by raising awareness for biodiversity, creating new habitats, restoring existing ones and by tackling invasive alien species.

An amount of €1.5m has been made available for the LBAF in 2022. A call for proposals was issued to all 31 local authorities in March and applications are currently being processed.

Projects supported by my Department through the LBAF in Laois and Offaly in 2021 include:

Engagement with communities and local authorities is crucial to the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan. The LBAF scheme represents a commitment by my Department to support implementation of the Plan at community, county and regional level, recognising the importance of the work carried out by local authorities in their respective areas.