Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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142. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position as of July 2025 on the Programme for Government commitment to create new national parks and increase funding to the NPWS to support its operation and visitor experiences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39956/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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This Government is committed to ongoing investment in Ireland’s Heritage, including the development and protection of our Natural Heritage. In 2020, core funding to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) – the part of my Department charged with protecting our Natural Heritage – was €28.7million. In 2025, this Government allocated €78 million in core funding to the NPWS.

Within this 2025 provision, €16.95 million has been allocated to the capital budget of the National Parks and Nature Reserve Directorate, the area that manages much of the development of our network of National Parks and Nature Reserves. This is an increase of 7.4% on the annual allocation at the start of 2024. In addition, the current budget, which pays for the day-to-day running costs of these parks, has increased by approximately 16.4% in 2025.

This level of funding increase is essential to achieving the commitments contained within the Programme for Government and provides the support necessary to improve and develop the infrastructure within our network of National Parks. This funding will be used, in part, to ensure the upkeep and development of visitor facilities and infrastructure, alongside improved Health & Safety measures, at our National Parks and Nature Reserves. This includes, for example, the development and maintenance of trails, investment in our visitor centres and development of amenities and facilities such as on-site toilets.

Other costs largely met from this budget include the effective management and control of invasive species within the network of National Parks. Invasive species exert constant pressure on the ecosystems within our parks and have significant detrimental environmental impacts as well as potential health and safety impacts for the users of our parks. To that end, adequate investment in this area is a priority for funding across the country.

Funding is also allocated to cope with natural and other disasters. This year saw extreme weather events such as Storm Éowyn and several large fires, including the fire in Wild Nephin National Park that destroyed the boardwalk at Claggan. As well as investing in repairs and clean-up following such events, the NPWS uses its budget to invest in mitigation measures. This includes areas such as tree management and fire-monitoring. In particular, our fire-monitoring and control programme aims to proactively monitor fire risks and, importantly, secures priority aerial fire-fighting support for the entire network of National Parks, ensuring public safety and the protection of nature.

In relation to the expansion of our National Parks, a portion of the capital budget allocation has also been reserved to fund land acquisitions. These land acquisitions help to support both the conservation and strategic objectives of the NPWS and includes lands which may ultimately be incorporated into our network of National Parks.

Resources are also currently being invested in the development of our newest National Parks – Brú na Boinne National Park in County Meath and Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara in County Kerry

Lands purchased at Dowth in December 2023 form the Brú na Boinne National Park, Ireland’s seventh National Park. Brú na Boinne National Park is a unique landscape requiring careful and comprehensive planning, and is comprised of a suite of important archaeological monuments, Dowth House, Netterville Manor (and other outbuildings), an important designed landscape and a range of habitats including mixed woodland, scrub, riparian wetland and grassland with an extensive complement of flora and fauna. Following the appointment of key staff to the park, the NPWS is now working in partnership with the National Monuments Service (NMS) and the Office of Public Works (OPW) to prepare a Masterplan for the entire site.

In respect of Ireland’s eighth, and newest, National Park – Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí – the NPWS recently completed a national consultation, building on extensive engagement with local communities in Corca Dhuibhne already carried out by the NPWS. The submissions received will inform and shape the development of this National Park, including visitor experiences, into the future.