Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

441. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the strategy of his Department in tackling the growth of rhododendron ponticum, working with concerned landowners; and if his Department has prosecuted landowners who reject assistance and allow this invasive species to impact on adjoining land holdings. [13411/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the implementation of legislation around invasive alien species including the new European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024 which were introduced in July of last year. These new regulations give full effect to the EU IAS Regulation (1143/2014) in the national context and also update and strengthen the existing provisions around invasive alien species in Ireland.

No prosecutions have taken place to date, however my Department is committed to investing in tackling the issue of Rhododendron Ponticum and addressing the negative effect this invasive species has on nature in Ireland. The NPWS continues to invest heavily in, and is committed to, tackling the spread of invasive species across our network of National Parks. In particular, the control of Rhododendron Ponticum is difficult, costly, and labour intensive, but is seen as a vital priority with a significant amount of resources devoted to this task every year. The NPWS carries out an annual targeted programme of works across a number of our National Parks to manage the spread. The multi-faceted programme includes cycles of monitoring, zoning, treating, clearing and reviewing.

In addition to supports available from other bodies such as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and via the LEADER Programme, the following initiatives are supported through my Department.

The Local Authority Biodiversity Grant Scheme operated by the NPWS provides funding to assist local authorities with the implementation of projects that promote actions contained in the National Biodiversity Action Plan, which includes addressing the issue of Invasive Alien Species (IAS).

A range of IAS projects have been undertaken through this scheme since 2019. Last year (2024), over €400,000 was awarded to Local Authorities to carry out Invasive Alien Species projects. Communities groups interested in tackling IAS should make contact with their Local Biodiversity or Heritage officer.

With regards to other initiatives, the NPWS led LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature project is currently developing locally-based capacity to control Rhododendron and other peatland restoration action. This initiative is called Natura Communities.

More information can be found here: www.naturacommunities.ie