Eamon Ryan
Question:58 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will supply information relating to the operations of Dúchas (details supplied). [23890/02]
Written Answers. - Dúchas Operations.
Over the period 1996 to 2002, there were and are three specialist staff members dedicated exclusively to bird conservation matters in my Department, two of whom have degrees, while the third has a diploma in field biology. There were no vacancies during the period in question. A wide range of research and survey work relevant to bird conservation was carried out during this period by employees of Birdwatch Ireland and by self-employed specialists, on contracts funded by my Department and supervised by its staff.
The bird conservation specialists form part of a wider group of permanent specialist scientific staff, whose work contributes substantially to bird conservation, notably in the survey and designation of areas for conservation of habitats and species. For most of the period in question there were 16 such scientific staff, including the birds specialists. An increase in this number to 22 has been approved and arrangements to fill the new posts and two permanent or temporary vacancies that had arisen recently are at interview stage.
The bird conservation work arising under our national and international obligations is also undertaken by an extensive national network of field staff, as an integral part of their work on conservation of habitats and species generally. These staff range from divisional managers to conservation ranger grade and include three regional ecologists. Of 118 posts approved, there are currently seven vacancies and replacement staff are being recruited to fill these posts. The work of both the scientific and field staff is supported by an additional ecologist based in the heritage policy and legislation unit of my Department.
There was no budget exclusively dedicated to wild bird conservation over the period in question. This aspect of work is integral to the overall work of habitat and species conservation within Dúchas. In the overall context of the work it is not practical to separate out bird conservation work generally, or work on special protection areas, SPAs, in particular, as a cost item.
Staffing and funding for conservation of habitats and species, including birds, has been built up over time to address the growing volume of work involved, including responsibilities arising in connection with implementation and enforcement of the European Habitats and Birds Directives and the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. This sector is now better and more effectively resourced than ever before.