Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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588. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department and public bodies/agencies that operate under his remit have policies in place to install artificial structures that provide shelter and habitat space for wild species, such as, but not limited to, insect hotels, bat boxes, nesting towers and beehives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24255/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Pollinating insects such as bees are vital for protecting our biodiversity, landscape and regulating our natural environment. My Department is making considerable efforts to make Ireland more pollinator friendly and to support the conservation, study and improvement of the native Irish honey bee (Apis Mellifera Mellifera) which is under threat from disease and cross breeding. We have successfully installed three hives of native Irish honey bees on the roof of Agriculture House on Kildare Street and host three hives in the Department Apiary located at Johnstown Castle.

My Department provides support via grants to the National Beekeeping Association to assist bee keeping associations with the conservation of the native Irish honeybee (Apis mellifera mellifera). In addition, the Investment Aid Scheme for the development of the commercial Horticulture Sector provides a mechanism for individual beekeepers to avail of funding to help them purchase tangible assets for their beekeeping enterprise.

Under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) farmers can undertake to install Barn Owl nest boxes (this includes Kestrel nest boxes). For ACRES Co-operation Project (ACRES CP) the list of Non-Productive investments and Landscape Actions will include artificial structures that provide shelter and habitat space for wild species. Officials in my Department are currently finalising the list of investments which will be publicised in the coming months.

In relation to the farms managed and operated by my Department, a number of measures have been implemented that are bird, bat and bee and biodiversity friendly in line with best practice and initiatives such as the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. This includes the placement of beehives, bird and bat boxes at its farm at Backweston, Co Kildare.

As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.