Office of Public Works

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023

Tuesday, 27 June 2023

Questions (40)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

40. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the position regarding the recruitment of in-house expertise at the OPW to ensure a full complement of competencies in ecological, botanical, horticultural or biodiversity-related roles; whether a gap analysis has been completed across the organisation; whether a biodiversity officer has been appointed at a level which enables significant influence across the organisation, as outlined in action 1.1 of the biodiversity action strategy 2022-26; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30962/23]

Oral answers (7 contributions)

Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh

I might take the prize for longest question of the evening. I ask the Minister to outline the position regarding the recruitment of in-house expertise at the OPW to ensure a full complement of competencies in ecological, botanical, horticultural and biodiversity-related roles; whether a gap analysis has been completed across the organisation; whether a biodiversity officer has been appointed at a level which enables significant influence across the organisation, as outlined in action 1.1 of the biodiversity action strategy 2022-26; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

Tógfaidh mé an cheist seo ar son an Aire Stáit, an Teachta O'Donovan. The Office of Public Works is committed to protecting, promoting and enhancing biodiversity across its operations. The OPW biodiversity action strategy 2022-26 identifies strategic actions to help deliver Government policy. As part of that strategy, the knowledge, creativity, commitment and innovation of OPW staff will be utilised to enhance the organisation's contribution to biodiversity.

The OPW cares for 780 national monuments and buildings and more than 2,300 ha of historic parks, botanical gardens and designed landscapes, which include an extensive range of habitats. For example, the dunes and coastal area at Derrynane, County Kerry, are of great ecological value and form part of two Natura designations of international significance, namely, the Kenmare River special area of conservation, SAC, and the Iveragh Peninsula special protection area, SPA. The International Council on Monuments and Sites, ICOMOS, has designated 11 historic properties to be of international significance and three of national significance from a historic gardens perspective. This includes sites such as Castletown Demesne, Fota Arboretum and the Phoenix Park.

The implementation of the biodiversity action strategy is currently managed through five working groups. These working groups are based on the five strategic themes within the strategy, which are: planning for nature; natural leaders; working with water and wildlife; diversity by design; and natural knowledge. Each working group is chaired at senior management level with a broad range of staff from across the OPW. Significant progress has been made over the last 12 months with the recruitment of a biodiversity manager which is ongoing. This includes development of training on biodiversity in co-operation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, and SOLAS; participation in the development of Ireland’s 4th national biodiversity action plan; the establishment of the national seed bank at the National Botanic Gardens; and delivering the biodiversity conservation plans for significant heritage sites in 2022 with reports on a further ten sites being undertaken in 2023. An OPW-wide biodiversity conference is also planned for 2023. In addition to this work, the inclusion of biodiversity enhancement features such as artificial nest boxes are a component of how the OPW is supporting biodiversity.

Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh

I thank the Minister of State. That was certainly an answer to a question, as they say, but not to this one as far as I can ascertain. I asked about gap analysis and whether the appointment of the biodiversity officer was at a sufficiently senior level that it could make a difference with the organisation. There is absolutely no doubt that the OPW, if it engages fully on this, stands to make an enormous difference not just in climate mitigation where it will have a huge role, particularly in respect of flooding, but how we layer the biodiversity crisis and our response to that on top of it. There is no doubt that there is goodwill in the organisation. More than 50% of the staff responded to the survey that was conducted in-house. A total of 91% of those surveyed felt that there were many ways the OPW could do more to help biodiversity and 90% said it was important to them. However, the essential piece of work is needed. It is a great strategy but have we the people to put it in place? A great strategy is all fine and well, and we have seen many of them come and go, but in respect of the implementation of that strategy that is important. That is why I asked about the senior appointments and particularly that piece around the gap analysis of the skills and the skills deficit that exists within the organisation.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

Under action 1.1, the OPW is currently in the process of recruiting an OPW biodiversity manager at assistant principal level. Interviews for this post are due to take place in early July and once appointed, the biodiversity manager role will be supported by a team of two ecologists and a clerical officer. The ecologists will be recruited following the appointment of the biodiversity manager and the clerical officer has been requested from the Public Appointments Service.

With regard to gap analysis and the availability of trained staff, the OPW has been collaborating with the NPWS and SOLAS to develop a training module that will specifically cover the gap in traditional training. The first meeting took place in Tullamore last month and, once approved, this programme will be rolled out to all staff beginning next year.

Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Somebody is being appointed as the assistant principal followed by two ecologists and one clerical officer. That is within an organisation which as the Minister of State pointed out, deals with 780 national monuments, 300 plus hectares of parklands and 1,700 staff. It feels a little thin on the ground to me.

I refer in the brief time I have to two recommendations in particular from the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. Recommendation 100 relates to the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 and states that it is no longer fit for purpose. This also relates to article 7 of the nature restoration law which deals with returning room to the rivers and an approach we are not seeing from the OPW currently. Recommendation 101 states that nature-based solutions must be included in State and community programmes to tackle flood management and should include whole-of-catchment area, hydromorphology planning and restoration. Hydromorphology is a skill in and of itself. It was not one of the skills listed or mentioned by the Minister of State in terms of gap analysis.

Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh

I ask the Minister of State about the potential and the capacity within his Department to undertake all-island projects on biodiversity. There is huge potential in this regard particularly with the oncoming PEACEPLUS programme and the elements within that for biodiversity. Is there capacity or is there an intention within the Department to facilitate communities to twin with other communities? I always think of our own Ballycastle, County Mayo, which could be twinned with, say, Ballycastle in the North to be able to do really good biodiversity projects and exchange of learning across the country because we obviously need to tackle this on an all-island basis.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

Deputy Ó Cathasaigh refers to two recommendations from the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. Nos. 100 and 101 relate to the revision of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 and consideration of schemes such as room for the river. The OPW has been co-operating with its Dutch counterparts and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, has spoken enthusiastically about the work it has done there. I will have to refer the question on hydromorphology to the Minister of State's office for a reply.

Similarly, Deputy Conway-Walsh asked about all-island projects and whether the OPW has the capacity to co-operate with projects north of the Border. Again, I will have to refer the Deputy's question to the Minister of State to provide a correct answer rather than guessing what the answer to that might be.

Question No. 41 replied to with Written Answers.