Written answers
Wednesday, 5 July 2023
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
Invasive Species Policy
Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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116. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if funds can be made available to local authorities to deal with Japanese knotweed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33016/23]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species.
Under this legislative framework, responsibility for dealing with invasive alien species rests with the landowner. Much of the work in tackling Japanese knotweed happens at local level and is carried out by local authorities in their areas through their own biodiversity action plans.
The NPWS provides funding annually for local authority led projects to tackle invasive alien species in their areas through its Local Biodiversity Action Fund. This year grants of €517,966 have been awarded to 23 local authorities who are carrying out projects on invasive alien species including Japanese knotweed.
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