Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 October 2019
281. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on whether the National Parks and Wildlife Service had at its disposal adequate resources to deal with its responsibilities for protecting special areas of conservation, such as at a location (details supplied). [42452/19]
View answerBudget 2020 announced total funding for my Heritage division of some €62.5m, up from €54m this year – an increase of over €8m or 15.5%. This is comprised of an additional capital provision of €6.75m (up 44%) on 2019 and additional current funding of €1.6m. In 2019, my Department allocated some €13.727 to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). This investment represents a significant proportion of my Department's overall budget and reflects my continued commitment to the NPWS.
Staffing levels across my Department are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Of the total permanent Department’s staff of 679, 351 work in the area of natural heritage through the NPWS.
I am pleased to note that in 2019, my Department recruited additional staffing resources for the NPWS including 5 permanent ecologists to NPWS, 15 Rangers and 4 permanent staff for the National Parks including 3 General Operatives. In 2019 to date there has been a net increase of 18 permanent staff assigned to the NPWS. In addition, each year, my Department recruits in the region of 70 seasonal staff to meet demand during the busy tourist season at the National Parks. Frontline conservation Rangers are deployed through a regional structure and assignments are determined in light of Departmental business needs and priorities.
Within those staffing contexts, officials of my Department carry out scientific research, survey work and monitor compliance with the with national and European law in relation to nature conservation across the country, as well as conducting patrols and site visits to enforce the various provisions of these Acts, as required. Many of these officers carry out work in more than one county.
