Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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1217. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the restoration plan for 60 hectares of blanket bog in the Wicklow Mountains National Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46044/25]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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In 2021, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department, with support from the Intel Corporation, commenced preparations for the restoration of approximately 60 hectares of blanket bog at Liffey Head in the Wicklow Mountains Special Area of Conservation. 18 months of technical baseline investigations were undertaken. Due to the complexity of the ground conditions encountered during these baseline investigations, the Project was split into several phases. Phase 1 of the works experimented with different management measures in order to optimise cost-benefits with respect to ecological restoration. This experimental phase was completed in 2023. Phases 2 and 3 included further geotechnical and geophysical investigations and the expansion of the restoration footprint to 100 hectares. This project demonstrates best practice in peatland restoration and innovative financing to achieve our restoration targets.