Vol. 528 No. 3
11 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the amount of money which was spent in each year from 1997 to date in 2000 by Dúchas in purchasing land; the area and location in each such purchase; and her views on whether Dúchas has the manpower, experience, and competence to manage these lands properly. [30046/00]
The amount of money spent by Dúchas (National Parks and Wildlife) on the purchase of land for conservation in the years in question is as follows:
|
1997 |
£2,571,613 |
|
1998 |
£1,853,009 |
|
1999 |
£1,088,082 |
|
2000 (to date) |
£1,559,093 |
The area and location in each purchase is as set out in the following schedule.
Areas purchased 1997, by site type
Blanket Bog
|
Bealacooan (Turbary) |
172.05Ha |
|
Mayo National Park |
1,788.29Ha |
|
Total |
1,960.34Ha |
Raised Bog
|
Ballyduff, Co. Tipperary |
1.84Ha |
|
Bellanagare, Co. Roscommon |
14.30Ha |
|
Carrowbehy, Co. Roscommon |
7.43Ha |
|
Carrownagappal, Co. Galway |
167.34Ha |
|
Clonfinane, Co. Tipperary |
81.07Ha |
|
Clooncullaun, Galway |
1.11Ha |
|
Cloonkerin/Shanville, Co. Tipperary |
48.82Ha |
|
Curraghlehanagh, Co. Galway |
25.59Ha |
|
Derrina, Co. Roscommon |
1.26Ha |
|
Derrinlough, Co. Galway |
76.22Ha |
|
Drumalough (Castlerea), Co. Roscommon |
316.88Ha |
|
Firville, Co. Tipperary |
44.47Ha |
|
Fisherstown, Co. Longford |
6.28Ha |
|
Total |
792.61Ha |
Woodland
|
St. John's Wood, Co. Roscommon |
9.74Ha |
Marshland
|
Clogheen Marsh, Co. Cork |
67.20Ha |
Grassland
|
Lady's Island Lake, Co. Wexford |
3.64Ha |
|
Total |
2,833,53Ha |
Areas purchased 1998, by site type
Blanket Bog
|
Derrinkee, Co. Mayo |
9.04Ha |
|
Mayo National Park |
161.62Ha |
|
Total |
170.66Ha |
Raised Bog
|
Bellanagare, Co. Roscommon |
32.28Ha |
|
Ballymoe, Co. Galway |
8.58Ha |
|
Castlefrench, Co. Galway |
31.38Ha |
|
Cloncrave, Co. Meath/Westmeath |
40.86Ha |
|
Clooncullaun, Co. Galway |
1.24Ha |
|
Glenwood, Co. Westmeath |
112.65Ha |
|
Kellysgrove, Co. Galway |
10.00Ha |
|
Laughill (Clonydonnin), Co. Offaly |
36.42Ha |
|
Lisnageeragh, Co. Galway |
2.41Ha |
|
Loughlurgeen, Co. Galway |
33.03Ha |
|
Kilballyskea, Co. Offaly |
66.37Ha |
|
Kilnaborris, Co. Galway |
62.92Ha |
|
Kilnaglinny, Co. Offaly |
119.00Ha |
|
Ardagullion, Co. Longford |
55.28 |
|
Total |
612.42 |
Grassland
|
Ballyvaloo, Co. Wexford |
13.15Ha |
|
Little Brosna Callows, Co. Tipperary |
6.26Ha |
|
Shannon Callows, Co. Offaly |
5.18Ha |
|
Pollardstown Fen, Co. Kildare |
10.10Ha |
|
Ballyoghan Lough, Co. Clare |
26.83Ha |
|
Total |
61.52Ha |
|
Total |
844.60Ha |
Areas purchased 1999, by site type
Raised Bog
|
Clonfinane, Co. Tipperary |
1.29Ha |
|
Funshin, Co. Galway |
1.87Ha |
|
Garriskill, Co. Westmeath |
104.31Ha |
|
Hortland (Mucklon), Co. Kildare |
37.13Ha |
|
Lisnageeragh, Co. Galway |
5.98Ha |
|
Loughlurgeen, Co. Galway |
185.75Ha |
|
Total |
336.33Ha |
Fenland
|
Pollardstown Fen, Co. Kildare |
17Ha |
Woodland
|
St. Saviours Wood, Co. Wicklow |
4.45Ha |
|
Total |
357.78Ha |
Areas purchased 2000, by site type
Blanket Bog
|
Bellacorick |
957.86Ha |
Raised Bog
|
Kilbarry, Co. Roscommon |
108.52Ha |
|
Killaun, Co. Offaly |
52.81Ha |
|
Clonfinane, Co. Tipperary |
1.69Ha |
|
Curraghlehanagh, Co. Galway |
0.70Ha |
|
Derrykinlough, Co. Sligo |
15.815Ha |
|
Total |
179.535Ha |
Limestone Pavement
|
Burren National Park, Co. Clare |
3.932Ha |
Tertapod Pathway
|
Valentia Island, Co. Kerry |
0.41Ha |
Grassland
|
Silvermines, Co. Tipperary |
21Ha |
|
Total |
1,162.737Ha |
Information regarding land acquisitions by the national monuments and historic properties and other sections of Dúchas is not readily available but is being collected and will be sent directly to the Deputy. I am satisfied that Dúchas has the manpower, competence and experience to manage these lands properly.
The land bank owned by Dúchas covers a huge area. The personnel in Dúchas are scientists, professional people and there has been a failure by them to recognise that the landowners and the general population have protected the wild life, habitats, etc. We have an abundance of habitats because they were managed by the people working on the ground, be they farmers or otherwise. Dúchas has failed in the past to recognise this and it is now imposing restrictions. They are unnecessary because huge numbers of farmers are becoming involved in the REP scheme.
The Deputy is making a long statement.
Is there recognition within Dúchas that the landowners and the general population have the capacity to preserve and conserve our habitats? There has been a failure by Dúchas in this regard because of its scientific bias and its belief that it is the only body with the capacity to preserve and conserve.
The Deputy acknowledges that there are professional people in Dúchas. They have specific knowledge and expertise which they make available. On many occasions, including when I sat on the opposite side of the House, the Minister of State and I have been at pains to acknowledge that landowners and users have ensured the preservation and conservation of our habitats. This is recognised by Dúchas. It works on the ground with local people.
The Deputy said Dúchas is placing restrictions on landowners and users. No doubt he has in mind the special areas of conservation, which come under the scope of an EU directive. That has been transposed into Irish law and must be complied with. My approach – and that of the Minister of State – is to try to find consensus. It is important we get the agreement of people at local level and we are achieving that. The fact that this Administration has managed to recruit rangers from people on the ground shows we know that the importance of local knowledge and co-operation with landowners is imperative for the continued conservation of our habitats.
What preparations are necessary by the Department for land to be acquired? Is it in response to a request from the NGOs, the landowners, other Government agencies or local authorities?
If the Deputy knows of individual or groups who wish to contact us, we have always said we are open to consultation and discussion. We are charged with the responsibility for our heritage and we want to work with all those who are working to protect it. That includes the NGOs and landowners.
With regard to manpower levels, are there many vacancies in Dúchas? Vacancies across Departments and many local authorities cannot be filled because of a shortage of professional personnel.
That is a separate issue. If the Deputy wishes to put down a question on it I am sure we will deal with it.
My question concerns manpower.
