Written answers

Thursday, 14 July 2022

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Invasive Species Policy

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

345. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there is any other scheme to help farmers to carry out work on their land that is overgrown with rhododendrons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38818/22]

Photo of Malcolm NoonanMalcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department does not provide specific funding for landowners to manage invasive alien species on their land. Under the current legislative framework, responsibility for dealing with invasive alien species (IAS) rests with the landowner. While a good deal of work dealing with rhododendron is carried out by my Department in its National Parks, it does not have the resources to extend this work into the wider countryside.

The Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) is a stream of grants administered by my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service to assist local authorities with projects in their areas that engage with and fulfil actions in the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Each year, projects that target invasive alien species are a priority in this funding stream. In 2021, funding totaling €407,184 was provided through this scheme to local authorities for IAS projects and a further €328,361 has been awarded to IAS projects in 2022 to date.

However, the LBAF is not open to individuals or private landowners and is specifically targeted at local authorities.

Photo of Jennifer WhitmoreJennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

346. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason that invasive plant species are readily available to buy in garden centres without warnings; the efforts that are being carried out by his Department to engage in biosecurity; if biosecurity legislation is being considered in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38838/22]

Photo of Malcolm NoonanMalcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Regulation 49(2) of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (SI 477/2011) makes it an offence to disperse, allow or cause to disperse, spread or otherwise cause to grow any plant which is included in Part 1 of the Third Schedule to those Regulations. 

I am aware of occasional reports of the presence of invasive alien species in garden centres.

My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) does not monitor trade in garden centres. However, the NPWS does undertake awareness raising around invasive alien species to help the public and business owners understand the threats posed to our native biodiversity. Furthermore, where the NPWS is made aware of trade of invasive alien species, immediate action is taken to minimise any potential harm of such trade. 

New legislation dealing with invasive alien species is at an advanced stage. This legislation will strengthen the legislative framework dealing with invasive alien species, particularly with regard to those listed species identified as being in trade.

Finally, in the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to develop and implement a National Management Plan for Invasive Alien Species. Work is currently underway on the Plan and although at an early stage of development, it will incorporate measures to increase awareness of invasive alien species among the public and also to put a range of biosecurity measures in place to tackle the introduction and spread of such species.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.