Written Answers Nos. 741-742
741. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of illegal burns that have occurred to date in 2020 on land owned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10371/20]
View answerWildfires are not a natural phenomenon in Ireland. The main cause of such conflagrations is thought to be the deliberate starting of fires without concern for the consequences. There have been 7 significant fires, 1 within Killarney National Park, and 6 in Wicklow Mountains National Park in 2020. In addition there have been a number of smaller fires outside the boundaries of the Park on which my staff have assisted the emergency services. These include a fire on NPWS land on All Saints Bog, Co Offaly, Camp fires at Pollardstown Fen Nature Reserve and Sliabh Bloom Mountains Nature Reserve, and fires at Cloonmoylan, Clooncullaun and Leaha bogs. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation for both National Parks and Wildlife Service staff and the Fire Service who are working tirelessly battling these conflagrations.
The primary responsibility in terms of fire-fighting lies with the Fire Service and the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. My staff, however, remain ever-vigilant in conditions when conditions exist that might result in fires in the National Parks. In an effort to reduce the incidence of such fires, NPWS have deployed increased patrols at our sites and remain in close liaison with both the Gardaí and the Fire Services. Where appropriate, cross compliance is pursued with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to “agricultural” fires. Finally, Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August. In addition, the Department, in partnership the Coillte Teo, has deployed drone technology in Wicklow and at the Sliabh Blooms.
742. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the provision of matching funding for the Barrow Blueway, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10471/20]
View answerIn November 2019, funding of €5m was awarded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to Waterways Ireland and its partners, Kildare and Laois County Councils to progress the Barrow Blueway from Lowtown to Athy. As part of indicative timescales in relation to the project, Waterways Ireland has informed the Department that detailed analysis and design of the route and infrastructure is taking place currently. Work is due to commence on the project in Autumn 2020 with a completion date of Spring 2022.
The provision of the balance of the capital funding will now be addressed in the 2021 and 2022 Estimates‘ process and my Department is in touch with Waterways Ireland as to project scheduling, capital-flow needs and associated timing of this and other capital projects, including the conclusion of the ongoing Meelick Weir capital project.
