Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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328. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to provide a detailed breakdown of the funding provided for nature restoration. [50403/26]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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The EU Nature Restoration Law (NRL) entered into force on 18 August 2024. It sets out a framework for EU Member States to restore nature, with binding targets for the restoration of a wide range of ecosystems including rivers, forests, oceans, urban and agricultural areas, as well as protected habitats and species. Ireland has until 1 September 2026 to submit a draft National Restoration Plan to the EU Commission, setting out how we intend to achieve these legally binding targets.

The process of developing this Plan is underway and the draft National Restoration Plan (NRP) template will be submitted to the European Commission by 1 September 2026. In early 2027 the EU Commission will submit formal feedback on the NRP, and the draft NRP will be revised based on this feedback. In September 2027, the final National Restoration Plan template will be submitted to the EU Commission.

Estimating the costs involved in implementing the Plan is part of the process. While the Nature Restoration Plan remains under development it would be premature to make specific funding requests to effect its implementation.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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329. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the estimated cost to double the funding for biodiversity officers, by cap ex and op ex, in tabular form. [50420/26]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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344. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of biodiversity officers in each local authority, by local authority, in tabular form, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51175/26]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 344 together.

I refer to my reply to Dáil Question No. 339 of 25 June 2026 which dealt with numbers and costs related to biodiversity officer positions. The position remains unchanged.