Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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110. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will report on any work that is happening in his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in relation to management of Ireland's uplands, including issues around degradation of blanket bog coverage, upland burning, invasive species management and overgrazing; if the National Parks and Wildlife Service is adequately resourced to support and implement management changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3471/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The management of Ireland’s upland areas is a responsibility shared by many with various sectors and organisations all having responsibilities in this regard.

The substantial increase in budget and resources for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in recent years demonstrates the government’s commitment to enabling NPWS to deliver its mandate in protecting our natural heritage. For 2023, some €52.6m, an 83% increase in programme funding since 2020, has been allocated to NPWS. As part of the Strategic Action Plan for the Renewal of the National Parks and Wildlife Service its capacity is being significantly enhanced through the recruitment of additional resources across the entire organisation.

NPWS, and in partnership with other bodies, is implementing a range of measures which promote the sustainable management of uplands across Ireland. Of significance, is the LIFE Integrated Project Wild Atlantic Nature aimed at the delivery of biodiversity, climate and water benefits for blanket bog habitat in northwest Ireland. There are plans to further expand this project across a wider geographical area with a focus on 55 blanket bog Special Areas of Conservation. An additional investment of €15m for the project (€10m from Shared Island funding and €5m from my Department) will also help build capacity for long-term habitat management, the control of alien invasives and address grazing pressures across a range of sites.

Local task forces and ongoing communications campaigns have been established to address illegal upland burning. NPWS has provisions put in place for air support in the context of both surveillance, monitoring and addressing any fire breaks in upland areas. NPWS has also invested significantly in drone technology and training and have advanced cross-compliance regime in place in respect of breaches of wildlife legislation.

In addition, as part of the NPWS’s continuing commitment to optimising the sustainable potential of heritage sites in a way that is compatible with conservation objectives, NPWS negotiated the extension of Wicklow Mountains National Park by purchasing almost 4,900 acres of Dublin Uplands at Glenasmole in 2016 and in 2017, the entire Wild Nephin area was consolidated into the ownership and management of the State. This creates an area of over 11,000 hectares which can provide increased nature conservation benefits and biodiversity as well as enhanced recreational and social benefits.