Written answers
Tuesday, 17 May 2022
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
National Biodiversity Plan
Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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329. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the progress that he has made in establishing a new national biodiversity data centre as a company limited by guarantee, subject to oversight by the Heritage Council, with a purpose to collect, record and maintain data on Ireland's biodiversity and make them available to the public. [24859/22]
Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Since its inception in 2006, the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) has proven to be a very successful programme for the collation, storage, and dissemination of data on Irish wildlife. The current contractual arrangement, however, is no longer suitable for the delivery of a wide-ranging and complex service which requires flexibility, public engagement, and a long-term focus.
Following an independent review of the programme and the recommendations of a taskforce set up to determine the optimal scope, structure, and governance of the NBDC, Government approval was sought and granted last October to establish the NBDC as a company limited by guarantee (CLG) subject to oversight by the Heritage Council.
The taskforce is now considering the detail of the new company and will revert to Government in the coming weeks with proposals on governance, audit requirements, staffing, and the process for appointing a chairperson, members etc., as well as further detail on the functions of the new company and the proposed location. The taskforce is working to establish the CLG by the end of 2022 so that there is continuity of service for this vital programme.
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