National Parks and Wildlife Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020

Tuesday, 1 December 2020

Questions (285)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

285. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the stakeholders that will be participating to review the status of funding for the National Parks and Wildlife Service in view of the commitment in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39655/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to review the remit, status and funding of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to ensure that it is playing an effective role in delivering its overall mandate and enforcement role in the protection of wildlife. I have decided that the review should be headed by an independent chairperson overseeing a triptych review process with a target completion date of Summer 2021. I am engaging with my officials in the National Parks and Wildlife Service in discussing the review further and am finalising options with regard to the Terms of Reference and the widest possible stakeholder engagement.