Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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429. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will report on the local authority biodiversity officer programme. [26331/23]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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430. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will report on the local authority biodiversity officer programme; the number of officers who are in position to date and in which local authorities, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26334/23]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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431. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will report on the staffing levels of the local authority biodiversity officer programme, their salaries, and in which local authorities, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26335/23]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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432. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on the local authority biodiversity officer programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26336/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 429 to 432, inclusive, together.

The local authority biodiversity officer programme is coordinated by the Heritage Council, utilising funding provided by my Department. My Department also sanctions the recruitment for new posts as requested by individual local authorities. The Heritage Council manage this programme centrally and so hold the detailed information regarding the filling of these positions and the individual circumstances of each post.

Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department, which includes the Heritage Council, to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The relevant contact email address for the Heritage Council is oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie.