Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

262. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of full-time, specifically-qualified climate scientists employed in his Department; the level of qualification of each, for example, post-doctoral and so on; their specific areas of expertise within climate science; if he will list their peer-reviewed specialist publications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11632/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Within the Agricultural Inspectorate of he Department, a wide range of technical expertise is available. Over 300 staff from this grade stream are assigned right across the organisation and their skills include various specialisations. The Department has a dedicated Climate Change Division which includes four Inspectorate Grade staff.

In addition, the Department relies on the specialist work conducted by Teagasc and the Marine Institute and whose staff have a similarly wide range of relevant skills.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

263. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specialists in each of the areas rewilding, diversification and biodiversity that are employed in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11633/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I inform the Deputy that staff in my Department engage with their colleagues in the National Parks and Wildlife Service on a range of matters including those that relate to rewilding. My Department has a dedicated Biodiversity Unit which includes three Agricultural Inspectors and two Assistant Agricultural Inspectors as well as associated administrative staff supporting their work. Additionally, staff in other areas of my Department have a wide range of duties and areas of specialisation, including 11 Ecologist specialist staff, and many of these duties relate to our strategic objective to ensure Ireland’s agricultural production is environmentally sustainable.