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Wildlife Rangers

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2022

Wednesday, 4 May 2022

Questions (211, 212)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

211. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of conservation rangers by county; the number of rangers who are authorised to carry out prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22275/22]

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Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

212. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role of a conservation ranger; if a probationary period applies to that role and what restrictions are in place for their role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22276/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together.

Conservation Rangers work as part of the team of regional National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff and are responsible for implementing nature policies throughout the country. Very often, they are the public face of my Department on conservation management, monitoring species and habitats and compliance. The principal duties of the Conservation Ranger include

- Assisting in the management of the National Parks, Nature Reserves and other State lands for nature conservation and public amenity purposes

- Management and oversight of public access and use in National Parks, Nature Reserves and other State lands

- Monitoring habitats, species and designated conservation areas

- Liaising with landowners and local community interests on nature conservation matters

- Promoting knowledge of nature conservation including arranging and participating in field trips and indoor and outdoor talks

- Assisting in the assessment of development applications and wildlife licensing issues

- Oversight, implementation, compliance and enforcement of the Wildlife Acts, Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species, and the Birds and Habitats Directives.

A probation period is a mandatory requirement for all new Civil Servants including at Conservation Ranger grade. Whilst new entrants are on probation they are not eligible to apply for internal promotional competitions.

Conservation Rangers are deployed through a regional structure and assignments are determined in light of Departmental business needs and priorities. As well as more senior regionally based officers of the NPWS, there are 83 NPWS Conservation Rangers stationed around the country at present, all of whom deal with enforcement matters under the Wildlife Acts. I am pleased to say that my Department is liaising with the Public Appointments Service to increase this number through the appointment of additional Rangers. Their assignments do not necessarily coincide with individual county boundaries. In any case, given the enforcement roles discharged by certain staff in the NPWS, for reasons of operational security, my Department does not provide details of staffing in the manner requested.

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.

Question No. 212 answered with Question No. 211.
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