Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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767. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the progress being made to support biodiversity; the key achievements since 2020; the plans between now and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24227/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Significant progress has been made in recent years to support biodiversity, in particular through the efforts of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), of my Department.

The NPWS manages 8 National Parks, two of which have been acquired since 2020, along with a large number of Nature Reserves to protect nature and promote biodiversity on the island of Ireland. The NPWS manages various conservation measures to promote biodiversity as well as programmes such as the Local Biodiversity Action Fund, a funding initiative local authorities can avail of to promote projects in their area which support nature.

Supporting the NPWS is key to supporting biodiversity in Ireland which is why Government funding of the NPWS has increased from €28.7 million in 2020 to €78 million in 2025, and its staff body has been increased from 349 to 577 in this same time period. This increase in funding and staff is vital to help the NPWS meet its increased responsibilities in the area of protecting biodiversity and continual increases in the future will be required if Ireland is to meet its national and international commitments in this area.

Plans for the future to support biodiversity include, but are not limited to, continued investment in our parks and reserves and the strategic acquisition of additional lands when the opportunity arises, investment in Invasive Species Control, continued roll-out and support of existing programmes such as the Local Biodiversity Action Fund and NPWS Farm Scheme, tackling of wildlife crime through the work of the NPWS and by working with other state agencies and through the commencement of the Nature Restoration Plan in line with the requirements of the recently adopted Nature Restoration Law.

Great progress has been made in recent years supporting biodiversity and it is intended that this will continue up to 2030 and beyond as a result of the continued efforts of the NPWS and its increased support from Government.