Ivana Bacik
Question:74. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to promote biodiversity in urban centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53537/21]
View answerThursday, 11 November 2021
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Written answers
My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is the lead on the development and coordination of implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP). The current Plan runs from 2017 to 2021 and work is underway on drafting the next Plan, Ireland's fourth, to be put in place next year.
The Local Authority Biodiversity Grant Scheme, operated by the NPWS, offers funding to assist local authority biodiversity officers (and heritage officers in local authorities without a biodiversity officer) with the implementation of projects that promote actions contained in the NBAP.
First launched in 2018, the Local Authority Biodiversity Grant Scheme supports actions for biodiversity in local areas and is an important element of the overall NBAP implementation. Engagement with communities and local authorities is crucial to the implementation of the Plan and the grants help raise awareness of biodiversity issues locally, regionally and nationally.
Projects supported by the Scheme range from those that aim to increase appreciation of biodiversity and ecosystem services, to projects that support endangered species and ones tackling invasive alien species, including in urban centres.
An amount of €1.35 million has been made available in 2021 for this scheme, double that of 2020.
Successful applications this year include:
- Carlow County Council Biodiversity project which aims to improve biodiversity by replacing annual bedding plants in containers in urban centre of towns in Carlow with native tress, perennials and shrubs which will they hope will create refuge corridors for birds, bees and insects;
- Cork County Council will develop a number of County Town Pollinator Plans;
- Galway County Council will develop a Healthy Green Spaces Project - about improving the quality of Galway city’s green spaces to be welcoming and inviting for people, to deliver on the need to reverse biodiversity loss, support pollinators, make positive impacts against or to cope with climate change, reduce waste and the reliance on carbon based fuels;
- A total of 14 Pollinator Projects across the country worth €122,000, have been funded on awareness, education and more Pollinator Friendly planting. Many pollinator projects are located in urban areas and make a positive contribution to biodiversity in our towns and cities.
My Department continues to work with local authorities, particularly through the Heritage and Biodiversity Officers networks, with view to improving outcomes for biodiversity across the country. This crucial engagement will continue as my Department prepares the next National Biodiversity Action Plan, due for publication in 2022.