Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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476. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of the 60 positions for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, announced by the previous Minister on 4 May 2022 for the Strategic Action Plan, that have been filled. [57071/25]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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Recruitment in the current market has presented challenges. However, through sustained effort and collaboration my Department has successfully attracted and appointed skilled and committed professionals across a range of disciplines. This achievement reflects the strength of our recruitment strategy and the growing recognition of this Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) as an employer of choice in the conservation and heritage sector. These additional resources have been instrumental in supporting the delivery of our organisational goals and in advancing out mission to protect, conserve and enhance Irelands natural heritage.

Our skilled teams are working collaboratively to address key priorities in conservation, biodiversity management and heritage protection whilst working with the EU through Projects like LIFE and SNaP, implementing key EU laws such as the Habitats and Birds Directives in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy and Nature Restoration Law.

Since the NPWS transferred to my Department in September 2020, the staffing headcount has grown from 350 at the end of December 2020 to 588 at the end of September 2025, an increase of 68%. This increase includes the posts outlined in the NPWS Strategic Action Plan, along with addressing other emerging priority work areas. Resource levels across Administration, Professional/Technical and Industrial posts have increased.

The expansion of our workforce demonstrates our ongoing commitment to strengthening the NPWS, ensuring that it is well equipped to deliver on the objectives set out in the strategic plan and to safeguard our natural environment for future generations.